Jasprit Bumrah should be rested against Oman and Pakistan: Sunil Gavaskar

Former Indian captain and commentator Sunil Gavaskar has given his opinion on the Indian batting order and the bowling attack for the forthcoming game against Oman in the Asia Cup 2025 campaign on Friday, September 19.

Speaking exclusively on Sony Sports Network, Gavaskar has stated that the Indian team would consider batting first if they win the toss. Moreover, he felt that the Indian skipper Suryakumar could drop himself down and promote Tilak Varma and Sanju Samson up the order to give them some game time.

“I would like to think that India would consider batting first and keep the same opening pair. Maybe number three, Suryakumar Yadav, the skipper, could drop himself down the order, giving Tilak Verma a chance for some time at the crease and allowing Sanju Samson a bit of a hit as well,” Gavaskar said during an interaction on the Sony Sports network.

“This would give the batters some practice not just for the game against Pakistan, but also for the upcoming Super 4 matches against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. It’s more about preparing the batters than the bowlers,” he added.

With India already qualifying for the Super Four stage, they will next take on Pakistan on Sunday, September 21, in their first Super Four round. Later, they will lock horns with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Furthermore, Gavaskar also asserted that the Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah should be rested for the game against Oman and for the game against Pakistan so that he would be afresh for the grand finale 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 on Sunday, the 28th. That’s what India should be looking at. Of course, there will still need to be one bench player included, but Bumrah should be left out for tomorrow’s game to give him rest,” he concluded.

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