Will BCCI Pay ₹18 Crore to Jasprit Bumrah for Skipping IPL? Bharat Arun Suggests Rest Over Risk

Jasprit Bumrah, widely regarded as one of the best fast bowlers of modern cricket, continues to face the challenge of recurring injuries. The Indian pace spearhead recently missed matches on the England tour, after also struggling with fitness issues following the Australia series. This has once again sparked debates about managing his workload, especially with the Indian Premier League (IPL) coming before major international assignments.

Former India bowling coach Bharat Arun has now suggested that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) should consider keeping Bumrah out of the IPL ahead of crucial series—and even compensate him financially for missing out. The bold suggestion has triggered discussions around whether the BCCI could realistically pay Bumrah the ₹18 crore he earns from his IPL franchise, Mumbai Indians.

Bharat Arun’s advice on Bumrah’s injuries

Speaking on the Bombay Sports Exchange podcast, Bharat Arun made an important point about the strain fast bowlers face.

“Fast bowlers cannot play all three formats consistently,” Arun explained. “Batsmen and spinners may be able to do that, but for pacers it’s nearly impossible. Playing the IPL just before a crucial international series increases the risk of injury. A bowler like Jasprit Bumrah should be rested and protected, and the BCCI should compensate him for sitting out, because he is already part of the central contract system.”

Arun emphasized that protecting bowlers like Bumrah is essential for India’s long-term success, especially in major Test series and ICC tournaments.

The ₹18 crore question

The suggestion immediately raises a complex financial dilemma. Bumrah is paid ₹18 crore per season by Mumbai Indians in the IPL. If he skips the tournament for rest, he would miss out on that paycheck.

The question then is: Will BCCI cover that cost?

If the board agrees to compensate Bumrah, it sets a precedent for other players who might also seek financial protection if they skip the IPL for workload management. This would mean a significant financial burden on the BCCI, especially with India having multiple star players featuring in the league.

Moreover, IPL franchises like Mumbai Indians would suffer huge setbacks if their biggest match-winners are unavailable. Bumrah is not just a strike bowler but also a face of the franchise, and his absence could hurt both team performance and television ratings.

Why resting Bumrah is so difficult

While Bharat Arun’s suggestion makes sense from a fitness and workload management perspective, implementing it is far from simple. IPL is the most popular and financially powerful cricket league in the world. Players like Bumrah are one of the key reasons why the tournament attracts record TRPs and massive sponsorships.

If Bumrah is rested, the IPL brand itself takes a hit. Franchises, who invest crores of rupees in retaining and buying players, would strongly oppose any move that deprives them of their star performers.

Balancing IPL and international cricket

The larger debate is about striking the right balance between player fitness and the commercial importance of IPL. With the cricket calendar more packed than ever, injuries to fast bowlers like Bumrah highlight the need for a more structured workload management plan.

For now, BCCI is unlikely to pay Bumrah the ₹18 crore IPL fee if he skips the tournament, given the contractual nature of franchise cricket. However, Bharat Arun’s remarks underline the growing concern that India’s premier fast bowler needs to be preserved for the biggest international challenges.

Conclusion

Jasprit Bumrah’s injuries continue to raise tough questions: Should the BCCI step in to protect its star pacer, even if that means compensating him for missing the IPL? Or should the financial and commercial structure of the IPL remain untouched, leaving players to balance their commitments?

As Bharat Arun rightly points out, protecting bowlers like Bumrah is vital. But in a league as lucrative as the IPL, keeping a star pacer out might be easier said than done.