Jasprit Bumrah to miss Asia Cup 2025? Report reveals Gautam Gambhir, Ajit Agarkar's thought-process on India pacer
With no international cricket for the Indian team in August, Bumrah will be getting more than ample amount of rest to continue in the next three to four months. But the Indian thinktank of head coach Gautam Gambhir and BCCI chief of selectors Ajit Agarkar might rest Bumrah for the Asia Cup 2025, to be held in UAE, according to an NDTV report.
Having missed on the World Test Championship (WTC) title in the last three editions despite coming so close (finished runners-up twice), the Shubman Gill-led side badly want to win the WTC 2025-27 cycle.
Having already lost two Tests in the current cycle, the Indian management wants to keep their frontline pacer fresh for the Tests against West Indies and South Africa later this year.
'It will be a tricky call, but Bumrah loves Test cricket and there are World Test Championship points at stake. As far as T20 is concerned, he can play the series against New Zealand in January, which will be a dress rehearsal for the T20 World Cup,' A BCCI source close the developments was quoted as saying to the website.
'If Bumrah plays Asia Cup and suppose India plays the final, no way can he play against West Indies at Ahmedabad. Obviously the question arises, do you need Bumrah against West Indies, or he plays Asia Cup after a month's break and plays the two Tests against South Africa. That call, Ajit Agarkar and Gautam Gambhir will have to take,' he added.
The Asia Cup 2025 will be held in the UAE from September 9 with the final on September 28. India have been put in Group A alongside UAE, Pakistan and Oman. The defending champions open their campaign against UAE on September 10, followed by the high-octane clash four days later against Pakistan. India play their final group game against Oman on September 19. However the venues are yet to be decided.
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