India pacer Jasprit Bumrah has confirmed his availability for the coming Asia Cup 2025, which will be held in Dubai from September 9 to 28 in the T20 format. A BCCI source said Bumrah told the selectors about his readiness few days ago.The senior selection panel, led by former all rounder Ajit Agarkar, will sit on August 19 in Mumbai to confirm the 15-player team for the tournament. “Bumrah has told the selectors that he will be available for Asia Cup selection. The selection committee will discuss and decide when they sit next week,” the source added.Bumrah’s return to the Asia Cup team is a huge morale booster for Team India, considering his outstanding performance in the final of the T20 World Cup 2024 against South Africa, during which he dismissed 2 for 18. Since the Asia Cup is held in T20 format, Bumrah will not be required to bowl longer spells, and the team management can handle his playing time with care.The Indian squad will go to the UAE ahead of time to acclimatize, and most players will be going in there without any match practice. The BCCI had initially suggested a short training camp in Bengaluru, but the team management chose to travel early instead. “Rather than having a camp here, the team will travel three-four days early so that they can do some good practice before the tournament begins,” the source informed.Bumrah had played three Tests against England, bowling 119.4 overs and recording two five-wicket hauls. He was dropped from the Test squad for the fifth and last Test at the Oval as part of workload management. With almost a 40 day gap between his previous Test match and the beginning of the Asia Cup, Bumrah should be fit and prepared for the tournament.
