Who Will Replace Jasprit Bumrah? Predicting India's Playing XI Against Nepal

04.09.2023 - 05:35 sports.ndtv.com

India's opening Asia Cup 2023 match against Pakistan was washed, but not before Rohit Sharma's batting unit had posted 266 runs on the board.

Though a similar threat looms large on the Indian team against Nepal too, the skipper and the team management would be keen to test out the bowling unit, especially before the crucial Super 4 matches begin.

However, India would be without the services of Jasprit Bumrah, who has flown back home over a personal matter. But, who replaces him in the Indian team for the Nepal clash on Monday?

As captain Rohit announced India's playing XI against Pakistan, there was no place for Mohammed Shami in the team, with Shardul Thakur being preferred as the third pacer.

cricket India Cricket Team Asia Cup 2023 Rohit Sharma Jasprit Bumrah Mohammad Shami India Pakistan Nepal

India will take on Sri Lanka in the final of the Asia Cup 2023 at the R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on Sunday. While the Rohit Sharma-led finished at the top spot in the Super 4 table with 4 points and a net run rate (NRR) of +1.753, Sri Lanka entered the final after a second spot finish, 4 points and an NRR of -0.141. India suffered a shock six-run loss to Bangladesh in their last match of the Super 4 stage, while Sri Lanka stunned Pakistan with a two-wicket win (DLS method) to set up a summit clash with the seven-time Asia Cup champions, the most successful team in the tournament history.

India vs Sri Lanka, Asia Cup Final: Rain Threat Looms, Hourly Weather Update Of Colombo

India take on Sri Lanka in Sunday's Asia Cup final, a crucial momentum-builder heading into next month's ODI World Cup. Both teams have 13 Asian titles between them, with India winning on seven occasions. India kicked off their campaign with a washed-out match in Pallekele against Pakistan, before beating Nepal to qualify for the Super 4 stage. India then defeated both Pakistan and Sri Lanka, before being stunned by Bangladesh on Friday, in the absence of rested stars like Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, among others.

Asia Cup: India's Workload Management Plans In Focus vs Bangladesh; Mohammed Shami May Get A Look-In

Having already sealed a place in the final, India will be tempted to test their fringe players when they face an already knocked out Bangladesh in a Super Four match of the Asia Cup here on Friday. The Rohit Sharma-led outfit will think deep whether to give as much game time as possible to its first-choice team or give an opportunity to some of the fringe players ahead of the World Cup at home next month. The question of workload management is pertinent particularly in the case of bowlers.

Watch: Jasprit Bumrah Suffers Injury Scare Against Sri Lanka In Asia Cup 2023, Leaves Social Media Concerned

Jasprit Bumrah suffered a massive injury scare during the Asia Cup 2023 Super 4 clash between India and Sri Lanka on Tuesday. Bumrah suffered a back injury back in September 2022 and he ended up missing the T20 World Cup and the Indian Premier League due to rehabilitation. He finally made his return in the T20I series against Ireland and will surely be a major asset for his side in the upcoming Cricket World Cup 2023. As a result, Indian cricket team fans were left extremely worried when he seemingly twisted his ankle while bowling against Sri Lanka. He landed awkwardly while delivering the ball and his ankle got twisted during the follow-through. However, there was not much to worry as he came back to continue his bowling spell and ended up dismissing Pathum Nissanka in his next over.

India's Predicted XI vs Pakistan, Asia Cup 2023 Super Four: KL Rahul, Mohammed Shami To Get Chance?

Team India will be squaring off against Pakistan in their Asia Cup 2023 Super Four match on Sunday in Colombo. In their previous meeting in the group stage on September 2, rain played a spoilsport and both the teams had to share points as the match got abandoned. The Indian team management's predicament to choose between KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan will be the dominating theme amid the usual edgy emotional quotient. Alongside focusing on the team goals, the Indian management will want to assemble the best possible 11 in the park against Pakistan, whom the Rohit Sharma-led outfit is facing for the second time in the event.