Asia Cup 2025: ‘Bumrah shouldn’t be played against Pakistan’ – Sunil Gavaskar gives big advice to the Indian team

Legendary opening batsman Sunil Gavaskar has advised Team India on their strategy for the Asia Cup. He said that fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah should be rested for the match against Oman as well as the first Super Four match against Pakistan.

India are in first place in Group A after easy wins against the UAE and Pakistan. The match against Oman in Abu Dhabi is an opportunity to make changes to the team lineup. The Super 4s begin this weekend, with the second match between India and Pakistan scheduled for September 21, 2025.

Jasprit Bumrah should be rested: Gavaskar

Speaking to India Today, Gavaskar said, “This will give the batsmen some practice not only for the match against Pakistan, but also for the Super 4 matches against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. It’s about preparing the batsmen, not the bowlers.”

“I believe Jasprit Bumrah should be rested, perhaps even for the match against Pakistan, so that he is available for the big match against Sri Lanka on Sunday, the 28th. This is what India should consider. Of course, a player will have to be included, but Bumrah should be left out of tomorrow’s match so that he can get some rest.”

Gavaskar said that the match against Oman will be used to test bench strength and give important batting opportunities to the middle-order batsmen, who have had very little playing time so far.

Gavaskar further said, “I think India will decide to bat first and keep the same opening pair. Perhaps Suryakumar Yadav, as captain, can bat down the order at number three, giving Tilak Varma some time at the crease, and Sanju Samson a chance to bat for a while.”

India’s Probable XI against Oman

Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy

FAQ