India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel strongly supported using Jasprit Bumrah with the new ball in the Asia Cup 2025, breaking from the pattern of recent years. The management now gives Bumrah a larger share of the powerplay instead of saving most of his overs for the tense closing stages. As a result, Bumrah often has just one over left at the death, yet Morkel believes the early strikes matter more than saving him late.
The former South Africa fast bowler said the reasoning is simple. A wicket in the opening overs unsettles the opposition immediately and forces them to rebuild under pressure. Other teams may spread their main bowlers’ overs, but India trusts Bumrah’s new-ball skill to give them an early edge. Early wickets help India take control instead of reacting.
Morkel said bowling in the first six overs is tough, but Bumrah’s control and accuracy make him the best choice. He said if India can push the opposition six or seven wickets down early, the final stages become far easier. He added that pitches in the Asia Cup often favour spinners after the powerplay, so using Bumrah early gives India the best chance before the ball grips.
He stressed that T20 cricket is about taking wickets, and that idea shapes the strategy more than any fixed plan. For this reason, Bumrah’s current role is less about protecting runs at the death and more about attacking from ball one. Morkel added that the plan may change in future games depending on the situation.
"Look, it's a tough job to bowl in the powerplay, but Jasprit Bumrah is one of the best bowlers. And, with the new ball, we're looking to take a wicket. I think if you can get 10 down, or 6-7 down before the last ball, you make life a lot easier for you, and on the surface, the wicket is playing a certain way. Sort of the plan, and it's no secret that it will spin after the power play. So, what a great opportunity for the best bowler to strike for us upfront," stated Morkel, as quoted by India Today.
"We know the number one rule or the golden rule in T20 cricket is to take wickets, and we can do that by using one of our best bowlers and for us to strike upfront. That might change according to what we feel will be best on the day. But, we just felt that it's a nice opportunity to give him that role to try and strike for us upfront," he added.
India will face Pakistan in the final on September 28 in Dubai, and Bumrah has kept an economy rate of 7.33 in four games. Those numbers show control, but his main value has been the breakthroughs he gives with the new ball. Excitement has built for the final, and India’s plan to keep using Bumrah early will draw close attention in this key contest.
