'Jasprit Bumrah needs rhythm, not rest': Gautam Gambhir blasted for benching pacer vs Sri Lanka

India National Cricket Team head coach Gautam Gambhir has been facing criticism for resting the pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 match.

Team India and Team Sri Lanka are locking horns with each other in the 18th match of the Asia Cup 2025 at the Dubai International Stadium on Friday, September 26.

Bumrah & Shivam Dube are resting - Suryakumar Yadav

The Suryakumar Yadav-led India are in a red-hot form in the Asia Cup 2025 and are yet to lose a game despite not playing perfect cricket in any of the matches.

SHORTS

View More

Your daily dose of cricket!

Loading...

After a dominant hat-trick of wins in the group stage, they won back-to-back matches in the Super Four stage to make it to the final of the Asia Cup 2025.

Their ongoing game in Dubai is a dead rubber as Sri Lanka have already been knocked out of the competition. Meanwhile, India decided to experiment with the team for the Sri Lanka clash and rested two big names.

Captain Suryakumar Yadav confirmed at the toss that they have decided to provide rest to superstar pacer Jasprit Bumrah and star all-rounder Shivam Dube, replacing them with Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana. He stated:

"We have got 2 changes. Bumrah & Shivam Dube are resting. Arshdeep & Harshit Rana come in."

Suryakumar Yadav added that they want to continue doing good things against Sri Lanka and improve their fielding. He said:

'"I think we want to just continue what we have been doing. We have both thrice and we've batted first twice. We actually wanted to bat first today. We are happy with it. Good atmosphere, good games going around, just go on with it. (On taking catches) I think it's part of the game. It's happens. Until and unless you want it to come to you, I think it will make the difference in the tournament."

Notably, Bumrah has looked out of rhythm in the Asia Cup 2025, and his best is yet to be seen. In two matches against Pakistan, he registered figures of 2/28 and 0/46, while he recorded figures of 2/18 and 1/19 against Bangladesh and the UAE.

Him being rested ahead of the mega final against the Pakistan National Cricket Team didn't sit well with the fans, and they slammed the team management's decision.

Also Read: Watch: Hardik Pandya threatens to hit Jasprit Bumrah during warm-ups in Asia Cup 2025

Here's How Fans Reacted To India Resting Jasprit Bumrah:

Why bumrah rest today only four overs to bowl he is not bowling well

— sandy ❤ (@shivsenasandy) September 26, 2025

Gambhir will never learn,.. Bumrah is someone need the rhythm not the rest,.. last time he rested him and the next game he lost the touch

— Shivam (@ShivamKPy) September 26, 2025

Why why...there was need to rest Bumrah...you are making this mistake again and again...u make him rusty...it is just about 4over... #IndVsLanka #AsiaCup2025 @bcci

— Samip Rajguru (@samiprajguru) September 26, 2025

Why why...there was need to rest Bumrah...you are making this mistake again and again...u make him rusty...it is just about 4over... #IndVsLanka #AsiaCup2025 @bcci

— Samip Rajguru (@samiprajguru) September 26, 2025

Bumrah played the whole IPL.
Why resting him before the crucial final?
I think India playing this game just for a formality, but they should continue the winning streak before going to final

— smit (@smit_pvt) September 26, 2025

Bumrah ko phirse rest. Bhai ek match mein touch mein aya tha. Why ruin it. Resting dube is suicidal.

— . (@Kakkarot246) September 26, 2025

Jasprit Bumrah dropped after kaif post controversy https://t.co/XlKDuY6SlV

— Somesh Nolkha (@somumsdian) September 26, 2025

I still don’t understand what’s wrong with Bumrah and the team management. Was there really a need to rest him? It’s just a matter of 4 overs.

We’re playing the final in the next two days.
He was already rested against Oman, and in next match, he went wicketless by conceding 45…

— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar) September 26, 2025

Sri Lanka and India Playing XIs for Asia Cup 2025 clash:

India (Playing XI): Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson(w), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy

Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis(w), Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka(c), Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Nuwan Thushara