Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah is reportedly set to miss the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025, scheduled to be held in the United Arab Emirates from September 9 to 28. According to Indian media reports on Saturday, the primary reason for his absence is workload management.
Bumrah, who played in only three of the five Tests during the recent ‘Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy’ against England for the same reason, is now expected to sit out the continental T20 tournament. Despite his limited appearances, the right-arm pacer was a crucial part of India’s fast-bowling attack, bowling 119.4 overs and taking 14 wickets across the three Test matches.
A source close to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) indicated that Bumrah’s preference for Test cricket might be a deciding factor. This is because India is scheduled to host the West Indies for a two-match Test series beginning on October 2, just two days after the Asia Cup concludes.
“It will be a tricky call but Bumrah loves Test cricket and there are World Test Championship points at stake,” a BCCI source told an Indian news agency. “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.” The source added that if Bumrah participates in the Asia Cup and India reaches the final, it would be impossible for him to be ready for the West Indies Test series. “That’s a call for Ajit Agarkar and Gautam Gambhir to make,” the source concluded, referring to the difficult choice facing the selectors.
