Gavaskar Suggests Resting Bumrah for Asia Cup Super 4 Matches
Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has urged the team to strategize for their upcoming Asia Cup Super 4 campaign. In his view, Jasprit Bumrah should be rested not only for the last group-stage match against Oman but also for the Super 4 opening clash with Pakistan on September 20.
According to Gavaskar, India’s comfortable position in the tournament provides the perfect opportunity for the team to make adjustments. The Oman match offers a chance to rotate the squad and give key players like Sanju Samson, Tilak Verma, and Hardik Pandya some time in the middle. These batters have had limited opportunities due to India’s dominant victories earlier in the competition.
Perfect Opportunity for Batting Practice
Gavaskar also suggested that India might consider opening with the same pair and use the Oman game to test their batting depth. He proposed that Suryakumar Yadav, the skipper, might drop down the order to give Tilak Verma more time to bat. This, according to Gavaskar, would also allow Sanju Samson to gain some much-needed time in the middle, preparing the batters for tougher games ahead.
“This would give the batters a chance to prepare for the Super 4 matches against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, where the competition will be fiercer. The focus should be on practicing with the bat, rather than solely on the bowlers,” Gavaskar noted.
Resting Bumrah for the Bigger Challenges
In a key part of his strategy, Gavaskar recommended that Bumrah be rested for both the Oman match and the first Super 4 fixture. By doing so, the team can ensure that Bumrah is fully fresh for the critical encounter against Sri Lanka on Sunday, September 28.
“I believe Jasprit Bumrah should be rested, perhaps even for the Pakistan game, so he’s available for the bigger match against Sri Lanka. India should be looking at keeping him fresh for the more important matches,” said Gavaskar.
India has already secured the top spot in their group with victories over UAE and Pakistan, making the Oman match an ideal chance for rotating players. Bumrah has been in exceptional form, claiming two wickets for 28 runs against Pakistan. He is now India’s fourth-highest wicket-taker in T20Is, with 92 wickets in 72 matches, averaging 17.67 with an economy of 6.29.
Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana to Step In
In Bumrah’s absence, Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana are expected to take on the bowling duties. Arshdeep Singh is especially eager to make an impact, as he needs just one more wicket to become the eighth Indian bowler to reach 100 T20I wickets. Their inclusion in the playing XI will not only strengthen India’s attack but also give them crucial match experience ahead of the Super 4.
The Oman game offers batters the time they missed in earlier matches. India’s dominant wins against UAE and Pakistan have resulted in limited batting opportunities for the top and middle-order players. Gavaskar emphasized that these extra opportunities will be vital for India’s preparation against tougher opponents like Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in the Super 4 stage.
India’s spin department has also been in excellent form, with Kuldeep Yadav’s three for 18 against Pakistan helping him climb to sixth place on India’s all-time T20I wicket-takers list. This strengthens India’s bowling depth as they look forward to the more demanding Super 4 phase of the tournament.
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