As India gears up for its Asia Cup 2025 opener against the UAE, the inclusion of Jasprit Bumrah in the playing XI has sparked controversy. Ajay Jadeja, the former India batter, voiced his strong opposition to the idea of playing Bumrah in this relatively less challenging match. Jadeja expressed that if Bumrah were to play against the UAE, he would go on strike, emphasizing that the team management’s decisions were inconsistent with logic.
India has been cautious with Bumrah’s workload, particularly after his stress fracture during the Australia tour earlier this year. Bumrah’s absence from key matches, like the Lord’s and Oval Tests against England, has raised concerns, especially with the T20 World Cup on the horizon. However, Jadeja questioned the need for Bumrah in this game, given the UAE’s lower stature compared to other teams in the tournament.
Irfan Pathan Supports Jadeja’s Stance on Workload Management
Jadeja’s concerns were echoed by Irfan Pathan, who argued that if a player is part of the squad, there should be no question of workload management. Pathan pointed out that picking and choosing when to play based on the opponent undermines the integrity of the series.
“Workload management is important, but once you’re in the squad, you have to play the series fully,” Pathan said. He also emphasized that continuity is key, and players like Bumrah should play every match to maintain momentum.
Both Jadeja and Pathan’s comments underline the growing tension surrounding Bumrah’s management and his role in India’s Asia Cup 2025 campaign. The squad management, under coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav, faces tough calls on how best to balance player workload with competitive performance as India aims for success in the tournament.