The 2025 edition of Asia Cup kicked off on September 9, with a Group B encounter featuring Afghanistan and Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi.
The eight participating teams in the continental showpiece have been divided into two groups of four. While India, Pakistan, UAE and Oman are placed in Group A, Group B includes Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong.
Team India will begin their title defence against the UAE on September 10 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Ahead of their campaign opener, former cricketer Ajay Jadeja has vowed to go on strike if ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah features in India’s playing XI.
Bumrah’s workload management was a major topic of debate during the recently held Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. The Indian team management had confirmed before the England tour that star quick would only participate in three of the five Tests.
As it turned out, Bumrah played the first, third and fourth games while he was rested for the second and fifth Tests. Incidentally, India won both the matches he wasn’t a part of.
The India team management might play Bumrah against the UAE to give him some game time, but Jadeja is against it.
"What is the need to play Bumrah tomorrow, man? Usually, you keep him wrapped in cotton wool. Ab UAE ke against bhi tumhe Bumrah chahiye? (Now you need Bumrah even against the UAE?) Either don't protect him at all, or if you need to preserve him, then do it in this type of match. Logic dictates that, but we never do things with logic," Jadeja said on Sony Sports Network.
"The match is against the UAE. No disrespect because I have seen their captain, [Muhammad] Wasim, and the talent he possesses. You cannot rank any team, but this is a T20 World Cup-winning Team India. Hence, I am clear. If Bumrah plays tomorrow, I am going on strike,” he added.
Sharing his thoughts on the same, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan said the concept of workload management should not exist if a player is part of the squad.
"You need to protect Bumrah, I understand. But what my opinion is, and I have said this during the England tour as well, is that if you have come to play a series, then you have to play it completely. You have not come into a series for recovery or management, you have come to play," said Pathan.
"You will obviously think depending on the opposition, but when you pick up the momentum, you cannot let it slip. Bumrah, Arshdeep, Varun Chakaravarthy, Axar Patel can be your bowlers. And then all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube at No. 7 and 8. If we have to bat till No. 8, there is no room for Kuldeep Yadav."
