Mumbai: As Team India gears up for the high-stakes Super Fours clash against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup 2025, speculation swirls around pace ace Jasprit Bumrah’s availability for the ensuing two-Test series against the West Indies.
The 31-year-old spearhead, fresh from a gritty return against Pakistan, where he troubled batsmen despite a wicketless spell, appears set to lead the charge in the red-ball format, quashing rest rumours.
Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate issued a resolute statement prior to Wednesday’s match at Dubai International Stadium. “It’s unlikely that Bumrah will be rested. “He’s ready for the West Indies Tests,” ten Doeschate stated, emphasising the value of continuous game time amid a packed calendar. “We’ve got important matches coming up, and it’s good for him to keep playing and rack up more overs.”
Bumrah toiled 119.4 overs across three England Tests earlier this year, snaring 14 wickets at an average of 26, but skipped two for workload management; the coaching staff sees the Asia Cup’s rhythm as ideal prep for the October 2 opener in Ahmedabad.
Ten Doeschate also reflected on India’s scrappy showing against Pakistan, praising the batters’ resilience despite a challenging week marred by travel woes to Abu Dhabi. “Our performance was a bit disappointing, but the way our openers fought against Oman and Pakistan deserves credit,” he noted. Shubman Gill, he added, missed vital practice nets due to the gruelling schedule, but the team remains locked in qualification — even a Bangladesh win tonight wouldn’t guarantee a final berth, ruling out any mid-tournament breather for Bumrah.
With the West Indies rubber pivotal for India’s World Test Championship campaign, Bumrah’s fiery yorkers could prove decisive on potentially spin-friendly home decks. Fans can breathe easy: the yorker king is primed and raring.