India announced their dominance in emphatic fashion, crushing UAE by nine wickets in their Asia Cup opener in Dubai.
The champions needed only 58 runs to seal the win, and Jasprit Bumrah’s fiery return set the tone early by uprooting the in-form Alishan Sharafu’s stumps.
While his impact was instant and decisive, debates around managing his workload continue to rage, with former players questioning whether India should have rested him for a relatively easy contest.
Former India cricketer Ajay Jadeja had earlier urged the team to rest Bumrah for the opener, citing the pacer’s limited participation in the recent England Test series, where he featured in only three of five games.
“What’s the need to play Bumrah tomorrow, man? Usually, you wrap him in cotton wool. Now even against the UAE, you need him? Either you don’t protect him at all, or you preserve him in matches like this. Logic clearly points that way, but we never seem to act logically,” Jadeja had remarked.
“The match is against the UAE. No disrespect—I’ve seen their captain Muhammad Wasim and his talent—but this is a T20 World Cup-winning Indian team. I’m very clear. If Bumrah plays tomorrow, I’ll go on strike!” he added.
Former all-rounder Irfan Pathan echoed similar sentiments, saying, “You need to protect Bumrah, I get that. But if you’ve come to play a series, you should commit fully. You’re not here just for recovery or workload management—you’re here to compete.”
As India begins its campaign with Bumrah delivering early breakthroughs, balancing his fitness with the team’s long-term goals remains a delicate task. One thing is certain: when he’s on song, Bumrah is impossible to ignore, and the UAE match has already provided a glimpse of his lethal form.