Following the Asia Cup 2025, Team India will immediately transition to Test cricket. A two-Test series between India and the West Indies will commence on October 2. The West Indies team is touring India for this series, which starts just three days after the Asia Cup final. There is speculation regarding whether players like Shubman Gill and Jasprit Bumrah, if India reaches the final, will be included in the Test series. Notably, the focus is on star fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah has informed the BCCI of his willingness to play in the series.
The Test series between India and the West Indies, beginning on October 2, will see the selection of the Indian team on September 24. This series is part of the World Test Championship, where India needs to accumulate maximum points. Considering the importance of the series, India aims to field a strong team. The presence of a star pacer like Bumrah is expected to boost the team’s strength, prompting Bumrah to make himself available for the Test series.
According to a report in the Indian Express, citing BCCI sources, Bumrah is available for the two Test matches to be held in Ahmedabad and New Delhi. The first Test match will be played in Ahmedabad, just three days after the Asia Cup final in Dubai. The selection committee, headed by Ajit Agarkar, may decide to either give Bumrah a break for the match, rest him for the entire series, or select him only for the second Test.
Bumrah’s decision is crucial, as he was available for only three matches in the recent five-Test series played during the England tour. His workload management was a subject of controversy, with questions raised about the team India management. If Bumrah is ready to play this time, the selection decision could be intriguing. It is also worth noting that the pitches in Ahmedabad and Delhi are spin-friendly, so Bumrah might not get many opportunities to bowl.