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New Delhi: India will take on hosts UAE in their opening game of the Asia Cup 2025 at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai on Wednesday. The Men will be looking to unleash a full-strength side against the hosts to get into the groove quickly and make a winning start in the tournament. Jasprit Bumrah is likely to spearhead India's pace attack against the UAE.
Bumrah will be making his T20I comeback for India after the T20 World Cup last year. Bumrah's last appearance for India in the shortest format came during the final of the T20 World Cup 2024 against South Africa. He has since featured in only Tests and ODIs for the country. As Bumrah returns to the T20I setup, India will be hoping to give him some crucial game time against UAE on Wednesday.
However, former India batter Ajay Jadeja is against the idea. Jadeja questioned the need to have Bumrah in the line-up against minnows UAE and said the pacer should rather be rested for the match. Jadeja said India should not play Bumrah in their Asia Cup 2025 opener, as it will contradict the team management's decision of preserving the pacer.
“What is the need to play Bumrah tomorrow, man? Usually, you keep him wrapped in cotton wool. Ab UAE ke against bhi tumhe Bumrah chahiye? (Now you need Bumrah even against the UAE?) Either don’t protect him at all, or if you need to preserve him, then do it in this type of match. Logic dictates that, but we never do things with logic,” Jadeja said on the Sony Sports Network.
“The match is against the UAE. No disrespect because I have seen their captain, [Muhammad] Wasim, and the talent he possesses. You cannot rank any team, but this is a T20 World Cup-winning Team India. Hence, I am clear. If Bumrah plays tomorrow, I am going on strike,” he added.
Earlier this year, Bumrah suffered a back stress fracture during the final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against Australia and subsequently missed the Champions Trophy 2025 in the UAE. He made his comeback in the recently concluded Test series between India and England, where he played only three of the five Tests due to workload management.
Bumrah missed the all-important 5th Test against England at The Oval in London, however, Mohammed Siraj's bowling heroics on the final day helped India wrap up a thrilling six-run victory to draw the five-match series 2-2.
Though India have a world-class pace attack consisting of Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya, the focus will be on the spin unit, considering the conditions in the UAE. India are likely to go with two spinners in their opener against the hosts. Axar Patel will be the preffered spin all-rounder, with Varun Chakaravarthy likely to pip Kuldeep Yadav for the second spinner's spot.
