The workload management programme of the India National Cricket Team pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is all set to begin in the Asia Cup 2025.
Jasprit Bumrah, the 31-year-old premier fast bowler, is all set to be rested for the next game of the India National Cricket Team in the ongoing edition of the Asia Cup.
Asia Cup 2025: Jasprit Bumrah featured against the UAE and Pakistan
India opened their campaign in the Asia Cup 2025 against the UAE and registered a dominant 9-wicket victory in the game. Then, they locked horns with Pakistan and crushed the arch-rivals to register a 7-wicket win.
In both games, India fielded a combination that consisted of one frontline pacer, two proper spinners, one spin-bowling all-rounder, and two fast-bowling all-rounders.
Jasprit Bumrah was India’s only specialist pacer in the line-up, and there was no place for the left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh, who is the highest wicket-taker in T20I history for India.
Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah bowled three overs against the United Arab Emirates and returned with the figures of 1/19, and against Pakistan, he completed his 4-over quota and had the bowling figures of 2/28.
Jasprit Bumrah to be rested for Oman clash
India will next lock horns with Oman in their last group stage fixture on September 19, and it will be an inconsequential clash for them because they have already qualified for the Super Fours.
According to a report in PTI, the Indian team management is planning to rest Jasprit Bumrah for the match against Oman to keep him fresh for the business end of the competition.
Team India are set to play Super Four fixtures on September 21, 24, and 26, and if they qualify for the final, they will be seen in action on September 28.
With back-to-back matches lined up, India don’t want to risk Bumrah. Reportedly, Arshdeep Singh or Harshit Rana is likely to replace Bumrah in the playing XI.
“Whether Bumrah himself wants to skip the game is not known, but the call is expected to be pragmatic as it’s better to have him fully charged for the business end of the tournament rather than risking him in a dead rubber,” the report read.
I feel he will play against Oman as Bumrah will rest – Aakash Chopra
Speaking on his official YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra discussed how Arshdeep Singh could get into the India playing XI and predicted that he would play against Oman because Jasprit Bumrah would be rested. He elaborated:
“They will have to make a call whether they need a batter at No. 8 or not. If a batter is needed at No. 8, one of Kuldeep and Varun will have to sit out, and then he will play.
“If India say that their batting has become good enough for them not to need a batter after No. 7, you can make him straightforwardly jump in in place of Shivam Dube. So Arshdeep, Bumrah, Varun, Axar and Kuldeep will be your five bowlers, plus Hardik Pandya, as you would need six, but then you don’t need Shivam Dube
“At this point in time, I feel India want a batter at No. 8, so you will definitely see Axar Patel there. For now, there will be only one fast bowler, but as soon as playing a second fast bowler will become a compulsion, although I feel he will play against Oman as Bumrah will rest, but come the World Cup or even Australia, you will have to drop one spinner.”
