India's premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah has only taken three wickets, with a pretty high economy rate of 8.36 in three games so far in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 tournament. However, the management is not concerned about the bowler's lean returns and is satisfied with his performances, considering the "exceptionally tough job" he has been doing in the UAE pitches.
Notably, Bumrah is bowling three overs upfront in the power play - and is bowling just one over at the death in every game he has played in the Continental Cup. Before this, the only time the fast bowler had bowled three overs in the first six overs of a T20I was way back in 2019.
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"He's doing a very tough task," India's assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said on the eve of the Super Four game against Bangladesh. "You don't see many bowlers in this format bowling all three overs in the powerplay. So it's quite strenuous as well. But we feel it's the right amount of work going into the Test match [against West Indies] and obviously the importance of this competition as well."
Bumrah picked just the one wicket in the game against the UAE and ended up taking 2 for 28 against Pakistan before going wicket less and leaking 45 runs in the team's first Super Four clash against Pakistan. However, Doeschate stated the job to bowl in the power play is very challenging, and his numbers are not that bad at all.
"It wasn't his most polished performance against Pakistan the other night," ten Doeschate said. "But we also understand that he's doing an exceptionally tough job to bowl the first three overs, the two [fielders] out, and the last over and the second last over, where guys are going as well.
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"There's going to be days where he doesn't get wickets, and he's going to go for runs. But in terms of how we set up the team, obviously with two seamers and going spin-heavy, we feel at the moment that's the best job."
Bumrah unlikely to be rested for another game: Doeschate
So far, the premier pacer has bowled 11 overs in the Continental Cup, as he was rested for India's last group-stage game against Oman. Bumrah will likely bowl 12 more overs, as Doeschate indicated he is unlikely to be rested for another match in the event.
"It's very unlikely that you [India] go into the last game knowing you've qualified," ten Doeschate said. "So I'd say it's unlikely that he'll get a rest. Also, bearing in mind we have a Test match starting next Thursday. So it's actually quite good preparation in terms of workload management … So if we have the luxury to have that option [of resting Bumrah] in the last game, we can look at it. But I'd say we're going to pick our best team for every game. He obviously fits into that picture."
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India will play against Bangladesh in the Super Four clash on Wednesday, September 24. A win for the Men In Blue will confirm their spot in the finals for the Asia Cup, which will take place on September 28.
