The former India wicketkeeper-batter recommended the young pacer to RCB management during the IPL 2014 mega auction, but the franchise dismissed the suggestion.
Parthiv Patel has revealed that he recommended Jasprit Bumrah to Royal Challengers Bangalore during the IPL 2014 mega auction, only to have the franchise completely overlook the suggestion. Parthiv was picked up by RCB on the first day of the auction and was present during the proceedings. The former India wicketkeeper-batter recalled the moment he tried to steer the management towards the young pacer, but his advice fell on deaf ears.
According to Parthiv, he received a message from RCB management around lunch time on the first day of the auction, shortly after he himself had been selected. At that moment, he saw Bumrah available and immediately flagged the prospect to the franchise. Speaking about the incident, Parthiv explained the circumstances of his recommendation and RCB's dismissive response.
"I had recommended Jasprit Bumrah to RCB in 2014. In the 2014 mega auction, I was picked on the first day, around lunch time. When I received a message from them (RCB), I told them, there is a player here, look into him. Perhaps the way I told them wasn't right," said Parthiv in an interview with Aakash Chopra.
RCB's dismissive response to Parthiv's Bumrah recommendation
Despite RCB's reluctance, Bumrah went on to be signed by Mumbai Indians for ₹1.20 crore at the same IPL 2014 mega auction. The young pacer faced competition from Delhi Daredevils and Rajasthan Royals for his services, but Mumbai Indians secured his signature.
Parthiv recalled the exact nature of RCB's reaction to his suggestion about the young pacer. The franchise's management made it clear they did not see the value in acquiring Bumrah at that stage of the auction, dismissing the recommendation outright.
"They didn't think that he could be worth buying at that stage. That is okay. Reply waisa tha ki, 'yeh Bumrah-wumrah kya kar lenge'," Parthiv said.
Since then, Bumrah has established himself as one of the most successful bowlers in IPL history, taking 187 wickets in 158 matches at an economy rate of 7.33. The pacer has been a cornerstone of Mumbai Indians' bowling attack and has played a key role in the franchise's success over the years. RCB's decision to pass on Bumrah in 2014 remains one of the franchise's notable auction misses, as the pacer went on to become one of the most sought-after bowlers in the tournament.