With the exception of resting pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah in Dubai on Friday, the Indian team management is not going to make any changes to its starting line-up for the inconsequential final group stage Asia Cup match against Oman.
If tournament favorites India advance to the final, they may have to play four games in seven days, with the Super Four matches scheduled for September 21, 24, and 26 and the final on September 28.
For the arduous stretch ahead, the team management understands how crucial it is to maintain their best fast bowler fit.
Although Bumrah’s desire to skip the match is unknown, the decision is anticipated to be practical because it is preferable to have him fully charged for the tournament’s business end than to risking him in a dead rubber.
Either Arshdeep Singh or Harshit Rana is expected to replace him in such situation, with the former having the added motivation of being close to 100 T201 wickets.
In batting scenarios, the middle and top order would benefit from having extra time at the crease.
Before facing trickier opponents like Afghanistan and Sri Lanka in the Super Fours, India might improve their performance with a solid hit-out against Oman. Their first two matches, against the UAE and Pakistan, were too one-sided.
