Amidst speculation and concerns about his workload, India’s pace ace Jasprit Bumrah has reportedly made himself available for the upcoming Asia Cup, which begins on September 9 in the United Arab Emirates.
Bumrah featured in just three of the five Tests against England during the recently concluded Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series to manage his workload but was still India’s most effective bowler with 14 wickets at an average of 26.00.
The 31-year-old has been used sparingly by India, particularly in white-ball cricket, and his last international appearance in the shortest format was the T20 World Cup final against South Africa in June last year. He also hasn’t featured in One-Day International cricket since India’s World Cup final defeat to Australia in November 2023.
Bumrah was ruled out of this year’s Champions Trophy due to a lower-back injury, which he sustained while bowling in the fifth Test against Australia in Sydney in January.
The senior selection committee, helmed by former India fast bowler Ajit Agarkar, is expected to meet in Mumbai on Tuesday to pick India’s 15-member squad for the Asia Cup, which will be played in the T20 format this time around.
