Jasprit Bumrah to be rested for Asia Cup 2025? Former India captain sparks debate

The former Indian captain and the opening batter, Sunil Gavaskar, raised his voice a few days ago on Jasprit Bumrah getting managed for his workload by the BCCI selectors. His statement came after the Ahmedabad-born missed the fifth and final red-ball clash against England at Kennington Oval.

Gavaskar now wants the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee to avoid Bumrah’s services for the bilateral white-ball series in Australia and the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. He desires to see the Ahmedabad-born in full rhythm for the upcoming two-match home Test series against the West Indies in October. The former opener still felt that Bumrah could have played the fifth Oval affair.

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“Nobody is indispensable. That’s why it is of prime importance for the selectors to now decide when Jasprit Bumrah should be playing. There's already been a lot of debate about his appearances in the recently concluded series in England. To be fair, he had informed the selection committee that he could play only three Tests out of the five.” Gavaskar wrote in his column for Mid-day.

Sunil Gavaskar wants India to rest Jasprit Bumrah for white-ball bilateral series  

The Ahmedabad-born has picked up 219 Test wickets in 91 innings at an average of under 20 and a strike rate of 42.6 with the help of 15 five-wicket hauls at the best figures of 6/27 in an innings. During the England trip, the right-arm pacer earned 14 wickets in three games, including two fifers.

“The debate that has generated some heat is whether he should have played the last must-win Test match, especially since it was the grassiest pitch at the Oval in a long time. The next Test match was in early October, and so there were two clear months for him to rest and recover in time for that. The Indian team management stated that he wasn't picked considering his future.” The Mumbai-born addressed.

“That's why now comes the tricky decision for the selectors. What is more important? Qualifying for the World Test Championship or playing some bilateral white ball games, which have no bearing at all. If India has to qualify for the WTC, then Jasprit Bumrah, being the premier fast bowler in the game, has to play in the four Tests that India have lined up between early October and late November.” Gavaskar concluded.