India batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has ruled out the possibility of any other workload concerns or fitness issues for Jasprit Bumrah during the Indian team’s Asia Cup campaign.
India will start their Asia Cup 2025 campaign on the 10th of September against the UAE and have started their preparations for the continental championship. However, one huge positive sign for them is the peak fitness shown by premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah.
Jasprit Bumrah received immense criticism for not playing all games in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy and skipping crucial matches in the name of workload management. Legends like Sunil Gavaskar slammed him with blunt remarks.
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I don’t think there will be any problem for him to play this tournament – Sunil Gavaskar backs Jasprit Bumrah
The legendary India batter has now come forward to show belief in Jasprit Bumrah and has evaded any further workload concerns for the pacer in the upcoming Asia Cup.
He explained that the pacer will feature in all games here because it is a T20 format with only 4 overs to be bowled across different spells in a match, and hence it can never be taking too much toll on his body.
“In this Asia Cup, it is just a question of bowling four overs and that too it is not four overs at a stretch…So I don’t think there will be any problem for him to play this tournament. “I mean there will be no workload problem for him because he has to bowl only four overs and there can be no problem,” said Gavaskar on Sony Sports Network.
Sunil Gavaskar ends debate on Sanju Samson’s spot in the Indian team
Speaking ahead of the Asia Cup contest, the former cricketer Gavaskar clearly stated his logic of having Sanju Samson in the Indian XI if a player of his calibre has been named in the squad. He said:
“You don’t take someone like Sanju Samson as a reserve,” Gavaskar told a group of journalists. “If he’s part of your core team, he should be playing. He can slot in at No.3, or if needed, lower down as a finisher.”
Gavaskar further ended the debate between Samson and Jitesh Sharma, as the latter has impressed more in a finishing role and can bring out quick long levers. However, for Gavaskar, Samson is the frontrunner at least to start the tournament.
Sunil Gavaskar names his Team India Playing XI for the Asia Cup
The Indian middle order looks very comprehensive, with a packed pool of players. However, Gavaskar suggested shuffling the batting order to swap in Sanju Samson.
“Tilak might be asked to bat at five or six. Hardik will be in that zone too. That creates an opening at No.3 for Samson,” Gavaskar said, outlining a possible batting structure that accommodates India’s growing pool of aggressive middle-order hitters.
“Axar brings that left-handed option and four overs with the ball. With that in mind, someone like Rinku or Dube might have to wait for their chance,” he opined one will have to warm the bench due to the abundance of options.
He lastly picked Kuldeep Yadav over Varun Chakravarthy as the spinner alongside Axar Patel, and named Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana to aid Jasprit Bumrah in the pace deck.
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