India would want their premier bowler Jasprit Bumrah in good stead heading into the crucial Super Four stage of the Asia Cup 2025. India is preparing to face Pakistan for the second time in the Asia Cup 2025. The highly anticipated Super Four stage match will be held at the Dubai International Cricket Ground on Sunday, September 21. Before that, however, India will play their final group stage game against Oman, who have already been eliminated from the tournament. Given that this is a dead rubber match, India is expected to make significant changes to their playing eleven for the game on Friday, September 19.
Jasprit Bumrah to not play India vs Oman clash?
One of the most notable changes could involve star pacer Jasprit Bumrah. According to a report from The Times of India, Bumrah may be rested for the Oman match to keep him fresh for the crucial Super Four stage, which kicks off with the Pakistan match. Despite the potential rest, Bumrah was heavily involved in a practice session on Wednesday and reportedly looked much more comfortable than he did during the recent tours of Australia and England.
Given that Bumrah is likely to be rested, Arshdeep Singh is expected to be included in India's playing eleven. The left-arm fast bowler, who is already India's all-time leading wicket-taker in T20Is, needs just one more wicket against Oman to become the first Indian to reach 100 wickets in the shortest format of the game.
Bumrah, for his part, has been in excellent form during the Asia Cup 2025, taking five wickets in two matches. Notably, India has changed its strategy with him, now using three of his overs during the powerplay and just one at the death. This is a shift from previous tactics, where he typically bowled a maximum of two overs in the powerplay.
Bumrah is a cornerstone of the Indian cricket team, and his value extends beyond his individual skills. His true strength lies in his ability to deliver at crucial moments, particularly during the death overs. Given that India's success in major tournaments often hinges on his performance in these high-pressure situations, it's a strategic move for the team management to preserve him for high-stakes matches. Resting him for a less critical game is a smart decision. If India decides to play the match against Oman without Bumrah, it will serve a dual purpose. It will not only ensure his physical freshness but also provide an opportunity to test the team's bowling depth without its star pacer. This type of calculated risk is exactly what successful teams take before a tournament enters its most intense phase.
For Arshdeep, the likely replacement, this is a perfect chance to audition for a more permanent role in the playing eleven. His goal won't be to simply replace Bumrah, but rather to prove his own value and show that he can be a reliable option even when Bumrah returns.