Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has suggested Team India to rest their key players, including Jasprit Bumrah, for the final Asia Cup 2025 Group A match against Oman on Friday (Septyember 19) and consider even offering a break to the strike fast bowler for the opening Super 4 fixture versus arch-rivals Pakistan.

Gavaskar is also of the opinion that India should experiment with the batting order in the dead-rubber against Oman, giving some time to players who haven’t had as much time out in the middle as the others in the two comprehensive victories against the UAE and Pakistan.

“I would like to think that India would consider batting first and keep the same opening pair. Maybe number three, Suryakumar Yadav, the skipper, could drop himself down the order, giving Tilak Verma a chance for some time at the crease and allowing Sanju Samson a bit of a hit as well,” Gavaskar said during an interaction on the Sony Sports network.

“This would give the batters some practice not just for the game against Pakistan, but also for the upcoming Super 4 matches against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. It’s more about preparing the batters than the bowlers,” he added.

“I believe Jasprit Bumrah should be rested, perhaps even for the Pakistan game, so he’s available for the bigger match on Sunday, the 28th. That’s what India should be looking at. Of course, there will still need to be one bench player included, but Bumrah should be left out for tomorrow’s game to give him rest,” Gavaskar remarked.

Returning to action for the first time since the England Test series, Bumrah returned with the figures of 1/19 and 2/28 against the UAE and Pakistan respectively.

India are due to face Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka over the next eight days with the title clash slated to be held in Dubai on September 28.