Bumrah and Gill Tipped for Asia Cup Comeback, Samson's Spot in Jeopardy

As India prepares to begin their Asia Cup 2025 campaign on Wednesday, the team management is facing a selection dilemma. Shubman Gill and Jasprit Bumrah are both anticipated to make a comeback to the T20I setup, but their inclusion comes with its own set of challenges.

Gill's potential return as an opener is expected to push Sanju Samson out of the playing XI, a decision that is being heavily debated. Meanwhile, Bumrah's workload remains a major focus, as it became a hot topic during the recently-concluded England Test series, where he skipped matches to maintain his fitness.

The Asia Cup now serves as a crucial opportunity for the team to finalize their squad with an eye on the fast-approaching T20 World Cup, scheduled for February-March 2026. The inclusion of both Bumrah and Gill is understandable, but the way the management handles the premier pacer will be closely watched, considering India have a packed schedule of ODIs, Tests, and T20Is lined up.

Former India batter Ajay Jadeja is not convinced about the need to play Bumrah against the UAE in India's first match, suggesting that the team should protect the pacer in such a fixture. Irfan Pathan, however, believes that Bumrah should play to maintain his momentum, emphasizing the importance of a complete commitment to the series.