Indian cricket fans have a reason to celebrate as pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is all set to return to the T20I stage after more than a year. The 31-year-old fast bowler has been included in India’s 15-member squad for the Asia Cup 2025, scheduled to begin on September 9 in the UAE.
Bumrah’s Road Back to T20 Cricket
Bumrah has not featured in a T20I since June 2024, when he played a decisive role in India’s T20 World Cup triumph against South Africa. His spell of 2/18 in the final was instrumental in sealing the trophy, and he went on to claim the Player of the Series award after bagging 15 wickets across the tournament.
However, injuries have disrupted his momentum. A recurring lower-back issue forced him to miss key matches, including parts of the England Test series. And several white-ball fixtures. His last ODI outing dates back to November 2023, which highlights how carefully India has managed his workload in recent times.
Read More: PCB Announces 17-Member Squad Asia Cup 2025 and Tri Series
Speaking about his selection, Ajit Agarkar, Chairman of Selectors, emphasized the importance of preserving Bumrah for marquee events:
“I don’t think there’s any written plan. Been a nice break after the England series. Physios, team management has been in touch. Clearly, we want him available for all the big games. There are World Cups, Champions Trophy, big series like England, Australia—you want him available. Because he’s picked up injuries over the last 2-3 years, because of how special and unique it is—it won’t change. Based on how he’s feeling and how we require him, we hope he’s available more often than not.”
India’s Squad Balance
Bumrah will lead a pace unit that includes Arshdeep Singh. And youngster Harshit Rana, while Hardik Pandya adds depth as an all-rounder. On the spin front, Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy provide variety, with Axar Patel doubling up as a batting option.
The batting lineup looks equally dynamic. with Suryakumar Yadav captaining the side, supported by Shubman Gill (vice-captain), Rinku Singh, and Tilak Varma. The wicketkeeping duties will be shared between Jitesh Sharma and Sanju Samson.
Full Squad:
Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shubman Gill (vc), Abhishek Sharma. Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh. Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson (wk), Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh.
Key Fixtures to Watch
- India vs UAE – September 10, Dubai
- India vs Pakistan – September 14, Dubai
- India vs Oman – September 19, Abu Dhabi
The final showdown of the Asia Cup is slated for September 28. With the Super Fours stage beginning soon after the group phase.
Final Thoughts
Bumrah’s return is more than just a selection it’s a morale boost for India ahead of a packed cricket calendar. If he stays fit, his unmatched ability to deliver yorkers at will could once again prove to be India’s biggest weapon in high-pressure encounters, especially against archrivals Pakistan.