Islamabad, July 31, 2025: India rests star pacer Jasprit Bumrah for the 5th Test against England at The Oval to manage his workload, raising questions about his Asia Cup 2025 availability.
India’s premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been rested for the fifth and final Test against England at The Oval due to workload management. The decision comes as part of a strategic approach by the team management to preserve the fitness of key players ahead of a busy international schedule, including the upcoming Asia Cup and ICC tournaments.
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Bumrah has been instrumental in India’s bowling attack throughout the series, consistently delivering high impact spells. However, with the series level and the finale approaching, his absence will be a notable one. Akash Deep, who impressed during the recent Test outings is expected to replace him in the playing XI.
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India will also be without wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, who is recovering from injury. Dhruv Jurel has been named as his replacement, leaving India with the task of reshuffling both their bowling and batting line-ups. The team will need to rely on senior players like Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja to step up in the decider.
While Bumrah’s rest is reportedly precautionary, it has sparked speculation about his availability for the Asia Cup 2025. Former cricketers and analysts have urged the management to strike a balance between player workload and India’s tournament ambitions, especially with high-stakes competitions lined up.
