Jasprit Bumrah, India’s leading fast bowler, will not take part in the Asia Cup scheduled from September 9 to 28, according to BCCI sources. The decision comes as part of workload management, which had also limited him to three of the five Tests in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England.
India is set to face Pakistan on September 14 in the Asia Cup, their first meeting since recent political and border tensions heightened diplomatic strain. However, Bumrah has been released from the national squad after fulfilling his quota of three Tests in the current series.
The 31-year-old has delivered 119.4 overs in the three matches, claiming 14 wickets, including two five-wicket hauls, one at Headingley in the first Test and another at Lord’s in the third. The BCCI confirmed on Friday that Bumrah would not play the fifth Test.
The Asia Cup final will be held on September 29, just days before India’s first Test against the West Indies in Ahmedabad on October 2, followed by the second Test in New Delhi from October 10 to 14. In November, India will host two Tests against South Africa.
According to insiders, Bumrah’s priority remains Test cricket, especially with valuable World Test Championship points at stake. For T20 cricket, he is likely to be available for the series against New Zealand in January, seen as preparation for the T20 World Cup.
Selectors now face a decision – should Bumrah return for the Asia Cup after a month’s break, or skip it entirely to be fresh for the West Indies and South Africa Test series? The final call will rest with chief selector Ajit Agarkar and head coach Gautam Gambhir.