Asia Cup 2025: Bharat Arun names two massive factors that will define India's campaign in the tournament

Bharat Arun wants Jasprit Bumrah to play all the games in the Asia Cup 2025.

Former Indian team bowling coach Bharat Arun spoke about the Men in Blue’s chances in the Asia Cup 2025 and said that all depends on India’s two ace pacers, Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah’s performance.

The Asia Cup 2025 will begin on September 9 with Afghanistan taking on Hong Kong in the first match in Abu Dhabi. Both teams are placed in Group B with Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Group A consists of India, Pakistan, the UAE, and Oman, and India will face the UAE on September 10 in Dubai. At the same venue on September 14, India will clash with Pakistan, and then, after a long break, India will face off against Oman on September 19 in Abu Dhabi.

“It’s a big challenge for Arshdeep.”- Bharat Arun on pacer getting rhythm

Former national bowling coach Bharat Arun believes that Jasprit Bumrah’s ability to play continually without rest and Arshdeep Singh’s ability to swiftly restore “match rhythm” will define India’s Asia Cup campaign.

Despite bowling a lot in England, Arshdeep still lacks enough competitive overs, according to Arun. However, he did play for North Zone in a Duleep Trophy match.

“Arshdeep, we all know what he is capable of doing. He must have bowled a lot in England, but he is definitely short of match practice. The rhythm really comes from playing matches, no matter how much you bowl in the net and practice sessions.

I think it is important to bowl in matches. It’s a big challenge for Arshdeep. How quickly he gets back his match rhythm would be very, very important. It can be in a jiffy, or it can take him a couple of matches to get into rhythm,” Arun told PTI.

Arshdeep Singh has taken 99 wickets in 63 T20Is with a best of 4/9 with an economy of 8.29.

“He should play all the matches” – Bharat Arun on Jasprit Bumrah’s workload

Arun was certain that Bumrah shouldn’t be bothered by six Twenty20 matches spread over three weeks. Bumrah had played only three tests on the England tour and was rested for the fifth and final test at the Oval. He returned home early and hasn’t played any domestic cricket of note.

“I would love to see Jasprit play. But I think it is his call. I think he should be able to play all the matches. But the real call must be taken by Jasprit. I don’t think he would need rest, looking at the format of this tournament. So, if he is bowling, it is also a question of continuing the good rhythm that he gets throughout the tournament, which would augur very well for him,” Arun said.

Jasprit Bumrah has played 70 T20Is for India and has 89 wickets to his name with a best of 3/7 and an economy of 6.27. He was also the Player of the Tournament when India won the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

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