Jasprit Bumrah set to play Asia Cup 2025, confirms availability to Ajit Agarkar: Reports
The availability of Jasprit Bumrah forms the central topic of discussion ahead of any series that India plays these days. Being the absolute match-winner that the pace spearhead is, Bumrah has emerged as a rather tricky prospect to manage. His unique action and a history of serious injuries limit Bumrah's availability for India. As the Men in Blue gear up for the Asia Cup in the UAE, the question stands tall again. This time, however, a positive update is brewing for the group, as a report has informed that Bumrah is available for selection in the India squad for the Asia Cup 2025.
Jasprit Bumrah reportedly confirms his availability for Asia Cup 2025
The India squad for the Asia Cup 2025 is reportedly going to be revealed on August 19 after Ajit Agarkar, the chief selector, and the council hold a meeting to finalise the group. Meanwhile, days before the selection committee stamps the final squad for the ACC event, Jasprit Bumrah has likely confirmed his availability to Agarkar. Bumrah was part of the touring side that drew 2-2 in the recently concluded India vs England Test series. Led by Shubman Gill, the relatively raw squad put on an impressive show to stand on par with the hosts.
However, the India vs England series brought significant scrutiny for Jasprit Bumrah. The pacer had been confirmed to play only three of the five Tests in England, owing to his workload management. The plan, revealed well in advance, started perturbing the fans and fraternity as the stakes rose higher on the tour. Bumrah, who missed out on the Edgbaston Test and the fifth and final match at The Oval, was accused of picking and choosing his assignments. The workload management plan, as observed in the recent Test series, was designed after Bumrah injured his back due to excessive strain during the Border Gavaskar Trophy.
After India wrapped up the Test series, clouds hovered over Bumrah's participation in the Asia Cup 2025. The T20 ACC tournament is scheduled to kick off on September 9 in the UAE. India starts its campaign against the UAE on September 10. Moreover, the highly contentious India vs Pakistan group-stage match is slated for September 14 in Dubai. Meanwhile, the Asia Cup final is set to be held on September 28. If India manages to reach the ultimate clash, the fixture in the UAE will closely precede the home Test series against the West Indies. The near clash of the Asia Cup final and the West Indies series in the India cricket schedule complicated the selection of Bumrah for the ACC event.
However, if the latest reports are to be believed, India is set to feature Bumrah as the frontline pacer in the Asia Cup. The squad, furthermore, is confirmed to be led by Suryakumar Yadav, who has cleared his fitness test upon his return from groin strain surgery. Moreover, Shubman Gill is all but confirmed to return to the T20I squad for the Asia Cup and also claim the vice-captaincy spot. The pace attack, meanwhile, is likely to be headlined by Arshdeep Singh along with Hardik Pandya.
“Bumrah has informed the selectors that he will be available for the Asia Cup selection. The selection committee will meet and discuss it when they meet next week," the latest report updated about Jasprit Bumrah.
India has been placed in Group A, alongside Pakistan, Oman, and the UAE for the upcoming edition of the marquee event. The placement predicts that the ACC tournament can feature as many as three India vs Pakistan clashes, if both teams manage to make it into the final stage. While the Men in Blue are yet to confirm their attack, Pakistan has named a 17-member squad for Asia Cup 2025. Salman Ali Agha will lead the group, while the senior duo of Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam have found no spot in the T20I squad for the UAE tri-series and the following Asia Cup.
