Jasprit Bumrah has picked up only three wickets at 8.36 an over in India’s first three Asia Cup outings, yet the dressing-room remains calm. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate thinks the brief – three overs up front, one at the death – is hard enough to explain the bare figures.
“He’s doing a very tough task,” ten Doeschate said on the eve of today’s Super Four meeting with Bangladesh. India have asked Bumrah to deliver three of the first six overs in every match, something he had not done in T20Is since 2019, and then come back at the very end. No hiding place, no soft overs.
The approach worked cleanly against UAE (1 for 19) and in the group game with Pakistan (2 for 28). It unravelled in the Super Four rematch, when Pakistan’s hitters lined him up for 0 for 45. “It wasn’t his most polished performance against Pakistan the other night,” the coach admitted. “But we also understand that he’s doing an exceptionally tough job to bowl the first three overs, the two out, and the last over and the second last over where guys are going as well. There’s going to be days where he doesn’t get wickets and he’s going to go for runs.”
India have travelled light on pace in this tournament – two frontline quicks plus spin depth – so Bumrah’s overs are non-negotiable. In total he has bowled 11 and could add another dozen if India reach the final. That still suits the wider plan, says ten Doeschate, with a home Test series against West Indies starting next Thursday.
“It’s very unlikely that you go into the last game knowing you’ve qualified,” he said. “So I’d say it’s unlikely that he’ll get a rest… we’re going to pick our best team for every game. He obviously fits into that picture.”
While Bumrah shoulders the new-ball burden, Sanju Samson is juggling a fresh brief of his own. The Kerala right-hander has thrived almost exclusively in the top three for Rajasthan Royals and, when chances came, for India. Here he has been pencilled in for No.5. He did not bat in the opening two fixtures, then was promoted to first drop in the dead rubber against Oman and rescued a sticky innings with 56 off 45. Back at No.5 against Pakistan, he scratched 13 from 17 before Haris Rauf flattened middle and leg.
“There’s two outings now, two decent chances and he’s still figuring out how to play that role,” ten Doeschate said. The staff believe Samson’s stroke-play and running can unlock the middle overs – but it is a different tempo and the margins, particularly on low UAE surfaces, are tighter than at the top.
Away from the camp a small debate rumbles on about Bumrah’s Test readiness. TV pundit Aakash Chopra stated, “I don’t see him playing the first Test,” stressing workload and a minor ankle niggle picked up in training last week. Former India fast bowler Varun Aaron does not share the concern. He told a radio panel on Thursday that the team “simply looks different when Bumrah takes the new ball” and expects him to play at least two of the three West Indies matches.
For the moment, India can shelve that call. They have Bangladesh tonight, possibly two more Asia Cup fixtures after that, and a tempo they do not wish to disturb. Bumrah’s figures may look ugly on the card, Samson’s new job a touch improvised, but neither assignment is straightforward. The coaching group is asking for patience – and, in fairness, the calendar is giving them only just enough of it.
