Jasprit Bumrah has long been considered the crown jewel of Indian bowling — hailed as one of India’s greatest ever Test cricketers. Just eight months ago, during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, his dominance was universally celebrated. But fast-forward to today, and conversations around his fitness and workload have become a divisive topic — not just among fans, but also among former players.
With the Asia Cup 2025 fast approaching, speculation is rife about whether Bumrah will be part of the squad. Initial reports suggest he might play, but there’s still no official confirmation. And while the temptation to field your best bowler is understandable, there are several strong reasons why India would be better off resting him for this tournament.
1. India Can Win the Asia Cup Without Bumrah
Let’s be honest — India are heavy favorites to win the Asia Cup, even without their pace spearhead. The tournament, although competitive, doesn’t carry the same intensity or stakes as a World Cup or a high-voltage bilateral series. Historically, India have won major tournaments like the Champions Trophy without Bumrah in the squad. The depth in India’s white-ball talent pool is more than capable of handling the challenge.
With the T20 World Cup 2026 still over six months away, the Asia Cup doesn’t offer much in terms of meaningful preparation. Instead, India would gain far more by fielding a full-strength team — including Bumrah — in the high-octane white-ball series against Australia later this year. Saving Bumrah for those high-pressure matches, rather than risking him in a lower-stakes tournament, seems like the smarter play.
2. It’s the Perfect Time to Test Backup Fast Bowlers
We already know that Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh are locks in the T20I playing XI. But what about the rest? India still need to identify their third frontline pacer ahead of the T20 World Cup, and the Asia Cup offers a golden opportunity to test out potential options.
Players like Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, and Khaleel Ahmed deserve game-time. Resting Bumrah opens up spots in the XI and allows management to evaluate which bowlers can deliver under pressure. This experimentation phase is crucial — and the Asia Cup is perhaps the only realistic window left before the full-strength squad locks in for the bigger challenges ahead.
If Bumrah plays, these promising pacers will likely warm the bench — a missed opportunity India can’t afford if they want a well-rounded pace attack next year.
Extended Recovery Time Is What Bumrah Needs Right Now
Even if Bumrah is medically cleared to play, he hasn’t looked 100% in recent months. The England tour made it clear that he’s still not at his absolute best, and rushing him back for a less-important tournament could be counterproductive.
An extended break would allow Bumrah to not only recover physically but also mentally recharge. Fast bowlers carry a massive physical burden — especially one like Bumrah, whose unique action adds stress on the body. Giving him time off now increases the odds of having him fully fit for key assignments: the home Test season, the Australia tour, and ultimately, the T20 World Cup.
A fit, sharp, and focused Bumrah in October could be a game-changer. That’s when India will truly need him — not in an Asia Cup that, let’s face it, won’t define their 2025 season.
