Asia Cup 2025: Agarkar, Gambhir set to ignore Jasprit Bumrah from squad

While there have been talks about the workload management crisis of Jasprit Bumrah, especially in Test cricket, his inclusion in the white-ball internationals has never been deemed as a problem in the recent past. However, a new development has now confirmed that Bumrah will not be taken into consideration for the impending Asia Cup 2025, set to be held in the United Arab Emirates.

India's last multinational tournament—Champions Trophy 2025—was also played in the UAE, and coincidentally, Bumrah did not take part there either, owing to his rehabilitation. Now, head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar are reportedly mulling their heads over skipping Bumrah for the continental tournament as well. With a crucial World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle well and truly underway, India will focus to keep their frontline pacer fresh and ready for the upcoming red-ball assignments against West Indies and South Africa. 

“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 source close to the BCCI and the Indian selection committee was quoted as saying by NDTV Sports.

“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,” the source added.

The Asia Cup 2025 is set to get underway on September 9 and the Indian team is placed in the Group A alongside arch-rivals Pakistan, Oman, and the UAE. Post the conclusion of this marquee T20 event, the Indian team will switch its focus to playing in whites, as the two-match series against West Indies will commence on October 2, which will also be India's first series in their domestic calendar.