AB de Villiers Discusses Jasprit Bumrah's Role in Upcoming Asia Cup

Bumrah's Anticipated Return to T20Is

Former South African cricketer AB de Villiers has expressed his excitement over Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah's comeback to the T20 International squad for the upcoming Asia Cup. However, he also noted that he does not expect Bumrah to participate in every match. Fans will soon see their favorite 'Jassi Bhai' donning the T20I jersey after a significant period focused on Test cricket, where he achieved multiple five-wicket hauls during tours in England and Australia.

Reasons for Limited Participation

In a discussion on his YouTube channel, De Villiers praised Bumrah for being 'fit and ready to go.' He commended the selectors for effectively managing Bumrah's workload, as he missed two Tests during India's recent tour and did not play the final Test at The Oval due to fitness issues encountered in Manchester.

"I do not believe he will play in every match. Reports suggest he will be prioritized for crucial games, and I appreciate the selectors' proactive approach. This is how senior players should be managed," he stated.

De Villiers emphasized that Bumrah is not selectively choosing his matches, as the demanding cricket schedule can take a toll on players over time. He remarked, "Some selectors grasp this concept, while others do not. Proper management of these players leads to optimal performance, and I am glad to see this approach being adopted for Jasprit Bumrah."

Bumrah's Impressive Stats

Bumrah ranks as India's fifth-highest wicket-taker, having claimed 89 wickets in 70 matches at an impressive average of 17.74. He had a stellar season in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with the Mumbai Indians, securing 18 wickets in 12 matches at an average of 17.55, including a five-wicket haul.

Following an injury from a stress fracture during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, Bumrah utilized the IPL to gradually increase his workload in preparation for the England tour.

Praise for Kuldeep Yadav

De Villiers also spoke highly of Kuldeep Yadav, the talented Chinaman bowler who did not participate in the England Tests and last played T20Is during the World Cup finals. He commended Kuldeep for his exceptional skills and ability to 'flight' the ball.

"He is a highly skilled athlete, quick on his feet with excellent hand-eye coordination. He is not just an ordinary bowler; he possesses a sharp cricketing mind that allows him to outsmart batters," he added.

Kuldeep's Performance Metrics

With 69 wickets in 40 matches at an average of just over 14, Kuldeep stands as India's eighth-highest wicket-taker in T20Is. In the IPL 2025, he took 15 wickets at an average exceeding 24 in 14 matches, with his best figures being 3/22.

India's campaign will commence against the UAE on September 10, followed by a highly anticipated match against Pakistan on September 14, both set to take place in Dubai.

Asia Cup Schedule and Team India Squad

India's final group stage match will be against Oman on September 19 in Abu Dhabi. After the group stage, the tournament will advance to the Super 4, where the top two teams from each group will qualify. If India tops Group A, all their Super 4 matches will occur in Dubai; if they finish second, one match will be in Abu Dhabi and two in Dubai. The Super 4 stage is scheduled from September 20 to 26, with the final taking place in Dubai on September 28.

The Team India squad for the Asia Cup includes: Surya Kumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson (WK), Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh. Reserve players are Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, and Yashasvi Jaiswal.