Asia Cup 2025: Why are Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy not playing in IND vs OMA match?

It is the time for the last group stage match in the Asia Cup 2025, as India and Oman are taking on each other for the first time in international cricket. While the qualifications for the Super Fours have been confirmed, and India have almost confirmed finishing on top of the Group A points table, the Men in Blues have rested two players to add two pacers to the squad.

During the toss of the last game of the group stage at Abu Dhabi, while Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav chose to bat first, he confirmed two changes in the playing XI. While he named the right-arm pacer Harshit Rana's inclusion in the playing XI, he missed the name of the left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh, which was known later. So, Indian right-arm fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah and leg-spinner Varun Chakravarthy have been rested to open up the two pacers position in the playing XI.

[WATCH] 'Become like Rohit...'- Suryakumar Yadav forgets team changes during IND vs OMAN Asia Cup 2025 contest

Asia Cup 2025, India vs Oman: Why is Jasprit Bumrah not playing?

It was very much expected that Jasprit Bumrah would be rested for the last game of the group stage. Team India management is always looking at Bumrah's workload pressure, as the management doesn't want to put any unnecessary pressure on his body, while Bumrah has to maintain his fitness at a higher level. There is no injury news on Bumrah, which means that it is just a rest for the 31-year-old pacer, and he will be available for their first match in the Super Fours, which will be against Pakistan coming Sunday (September 21).

Asia Cup 2025, India vs Oman: Why is Varun Chakravarthy not playing?

Meanwhile, the 34-year-old Varun Chakravarthy has been rested to open up the second pacer's spot in the playing XI. The Abu Dhabi pitch has some lively grass, although the surface is dry. While this is a good pitch for batting, the blowing breeze helps to swing the ball, and there is not much for the spinners. As the Men in Blues want to provide some game times to the pacers, the leg-spinner also has to give up the spot for the match. Both players are likely to return to the playing XI in their first game in the Super Fours in the Asia Cup 2025.