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The five-match Test series between England and India is well poised at this moment with the home side leading with a 2-1 margin. However, the action has come down to the final Test, which is being played at the Kennington Oval in London, it looks well poised with all results possible at stumps till day two. However, the Men in Blue are without some of their key players, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have a daunting task with the Asia Cup being the next major tournament.
With the continental tournament set to be played from September 9 to 28 in the UAE, the BCCI have a tough task when it comes to squad selection. With the side set to be without the likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja, the three veterans who announced retirement from the shortest format after India’s T20 World Cup triumph in 2024, it comes down to Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah, both of whom are out of the fifth Test.
Selection threat looms over Jasprit Bumrah ahead of Asia Cup 2025
While Rishabh Pant is recovering from a fractured foot, which he sustained during the fourth Test in Manchester, the Indian team management is also struggling with the workload management of Jasprit Bumrah. Notably, the star pacer was left out of the XI for the fifth Test due to the same reason, he was later released from the squad.
But with India set to play the Asia Cup next month, the biggest question which arises is whether Bumrah will be available or not. Seemingly, a source close to the selection committee informed, as quoted by Times Now, "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.”
"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.
Notably, India has been placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, UAE and Oman. The Suryakumar Yadav-led side will begin their campaign against UAE on September 10, followed by a match each against Pakistan (September 14), and Oman (September 19). The top two teams from the group will play the final four stage.
