Jasprit Bumrah Unlikely To Play Asia Cup; Pacers Who Could Replace Him In India Squad

Bumrah replacements in Asia Cup [Source: AFP Photo]

The India tour of England has just finished, and now the focus shifts towards the all-important Asia Cup, set to take place next month. India will enter as the favourites to clinch the title, and the Men in Blue boast a strong squad capable of winning the coveted championship. India have almost all the bases covered, but the team has one major issue.

Jasprit Bumrah's workload management has become a major talking point in Indian cricket. He played only three Tests vs England, and was rested in the other two. Moreover, the pacer is set to undergo a fitness Test ahead of the Asia Cup. If Bumrah gets rested for the marquee event, India needs a solid replacement.

Here are 3 pacers who could potentially replace Bumrah, if the pacer is unavailable for the Asia Cup.

1) Mohammed Siraj

An all-format bowler, Mohammed Siraj, last played a T20I game for India in July 2024 against Sri Lanka. Since then, the pacer has been out of the team, with the new head coach, Gautam Gambhir, preferring other options. However, if one delves into Siraj's T20I numbers, they are promising.

(Siraj T20I stats)

• Siraj may not have the numbers to back his calibre in T20Is, but what makes him an ideal replacement is his economy rate (7.79). For someone who is known for leaking runs, Siraj has been exceptional in this format, and the pacer also had an excellent IPL 2025 season, picking up 16 wickets in 15 matches.
• The pacer has been in red-hot form in Tests, and India could back him up with a berth in the Asia Cup, as a likely replacement for Bumrah.

2) Prasidh Krishna

Siraj's Gujarat Titans teammate, Prasidh Krishna, was a revelation for his side in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 edition. The lanky pacer finished as the leading wicket-taker of the tournament and helped GT reach the playoffs. 

(Prasidh Krishna stats IPL 2025)

• As the table suggests, Prasidh was excellent for GT in the IPL, and the pacer could potentially carry the same form in the Asia Cup, if he gets selected. Moreover, with matches being played on sluggish UAE wickets, Krishna could be the X-factor, as his hit-the-deck bowling could cause mayhem for the opposition.

3) Harshit Rana

One of Gautam Gambhir's most trusted weapons across formats, Harshit Rana, had a rapid rise in his international career, and could potentially be a solid choice to replace Jasprit Bumrah.

(Harshit Rana IPL stats from 2024, 25)

• In the last two seasons of the IPL, Harshit has been outstanding for the Kolkata Knight Riders, and was crucial in their title-winning campaign in 2024, as he finished with 19 wickets to his name. What makes him a solid choice is the fact that India doesn't have an express pacer in the squad, and Harshit is known for consistently bowling around 140 km/h.
• The team has skilful bowlers, but genuine wicket-takers like Harshit can trouble the opposition batters with pace and variations.

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