Does Team India even need Jasprit Bumrah in Asia Cup?

Does India’s T20 team really need Jasprit Bumrah? Sure, having him in the line-up feels like plugging in a cheat code, but have we all been fed this narrative that India can only win if he’s around?

Let’s rewind. Bumrah last played a T20I during the 2024 World Cup. Since then, Team India has played 20 matches in the format and won 17 of them. So one thing is clear: it’s absolutely not true that India can win only when Bumrah plays.

Who else if not Bumrah?

Now, let’s talk about the guy who has stepped up big time - Arshdeep Singh. In Bumrah’s absence, he hasn’t just filled the gap, he’s dominated. He’s taken 20 wickets in 11 games since that World Cup final and has now become India’s all-time leading wicket-taker in T20Is. In fact, he’s just one strike away from entering the 100-wicket club.

Pacers like Harshit Rana and Avesh Khan have stepped up more often than not. Not to forget the value Hardik Pandya adds with the ball. Moreover, there's a high possibility that Prasidh Krishna might also be tried in T20Is after the stellar IPL he had. Krishna finished as the highest wicket-taker of the cash-rich league with 25 scalps.

Does India need Bumrah in UAE?

Looking ahead, the Asia Cup will be held in the UAE, where conditions aren’t exactly pace-friendly. Remember, India also won the Champions Trophy in the UAE recently—and Bumrah wasn’t even in the squad. India went in with 5 spinners and lifted the trophy.

The Recent Test series in England? Bumrah did get two 5-wicket-hauls but India lost both those games. Both Tests which India won, those victories came without Boom Boom. We aren't saying that it happened because of Bumrah, but just to reiterate that India can win without him. He even opted out of the last Test despite India being 2-1 down in the series. So, when Bumrah can pick and choose which games to play, can't the selectors do the same?

Moreover, the smart call would be to just rest Bumrah and "manage his workload". Play him where India truly needs him and not just because his name looks good on the team sheet. Don’t you agree?

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