Will Jasprit Bumrah miss India vs Pakistan Clash? Sunil Gavaskar’s Big Revelation ahead of Super-4 News24 –
Sunil Gavaskar on Jasprit Bumrah: As India gear up for their final group-stage match against Oman in the Asia Cup 2025, the spotlight has already shifted to the much-anticipated Super 4 clash against Pakistan this coming Sunday. With India having already secured qualification to the next stage and a dominant win over Pakistan in the group stage under their belt former captain Sunil Gavaskar has shared some intriguing suggestions that could help India manage its resources more wisely ahead of the big games.
In conversation with tournament broadcaster Sony Sports Network, Gavaskar suggested that star pacer Jasprit Bumrah should be rested, not just for the Oman match but possibly even for Sunday’s game against Pakistan. His rationale? Keeping Bumrah fresh and fully fit for the Asia Cup final on September 28.
“I believe Jasprit Bumrah should be rested, perhaps even for the Pakistan game, so he’s available for the bigger match on Sunday, the 28th. That’s what India should be looking at. Of course, there will still need to be one bench player included, but Bumrah should be left out for tomorrow’s game to give him rest,” Gavaskar said.
Bumrah’s Workload Management Comes Into Focus
Bumrah has been in excellent rhythm throughout the tournament, but given his history of back injuries and the packed cricketing calendar ahead, Gavaskar’s suggestion makes practical sense. With India looking like strong contenders for the final, it may be wise to conserve their premier fast bowler for the bigger battles to come.
Rethinking the Batting Order
In addition to his thoughts on resting Bumrah, Gavaskar also spoke about the need to fine-tune the batting order – not just to give other players game time, but also to ensure key batters are well-prepared for pressure situations in the Super 4s and the final.
“I would like to think that India would consider batting first and keep the same opening pair. Maybe number three, Suryakumar Yadav, the skipper, could drop himself down the order, giving Tilak Verma a chance for some time at the crease and allowing Sanju Samson a bit of a hit as well,” said Gavaskar.
“This would give the batters some practice not just for the game against Pakistan, but also for the upcoming Super 4 matches against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. It’s more about preparing the batters than the bowlers,” he added.
Strategic Rotation Ahead of Knockouts
India’s dominance in the group stage – with wins over both Pakistan and Nepal has given them the luxury of experimenting in their final group fixture against Oman. Gavaskar’s suggestions reflect a broader belief that squad rotation, if handled smartly, can boost long-term performance without compromising short-term results.
With Tilak Varma yet to get a solid outing and Sanju Samson eager to cement his place in the middle-order, India may use the Oman match to test combinations. And while the Pakistan game on Sunday remains a marquee clash, Gavaskar’s advice to not overextend key players like Bumrah is a timely reminder of the bigger picture.
India will face Oman today in what is largely a formality. But with bigger battles ahead, the coming days could define how well India balances momentum with player management in their quest for the Asia Cup title.