 "Sunil Gavaskar has advised Team India to rest Jasprit Bumrah against Pakistan. Image: AP/PTI")
All eyes are once again on the Asia Cup 2025 match between India and Pakistan on Sunday, September 21. India have already beaten Pakistan once in the group stage and will be looking to do the same in the upcoming Super 4 clash. India are maintaining an unbeaten streak in this tournament so far, as they defeated Oman in their final group stage game on Friday.
India made a couple of changes for the game, resting Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy and bringing in Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh. Bumrah is expected to return for the game against Pakistan. However, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar believes the team should rest Bumrah for the upcoming clash as well.
Gavaskar’s advice to India
Gavaskar suggested resting India’s star pacer for the Pakistan game to keep him 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,” Gavaskar told Sony Sports Network.
Gavaskar had made this comment before India’s match against Oman. The Indian team did rest Bumrah for the not-so-important game, but he is expected to come back to the playing XI against Pakistan. Even though Pakistan are not looking dangerous in this Asia Cup, India will avoid taking a risk by resting their primary bowler.
Pakistan qualified for the Super 4 stage thanks to their victories against Oman and the UAE. Their only defeat in the group stage came against India, where they were outperformed across all departments by the Men in Blue, who won by 7 wickets. The match was marred by controversy as Indian players refused to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts, as a sign of protest for the Pahalgam terror attack.
The upcoming clash is therefore going to be a grudge match between the two neighbours. Both sides will try to bring out their A-game, which is why India are likely to play Bumrah rather than resting him for future matches.