Asia Cup, IND vs SL: Why is Jasprit Bumrah not playing against Sri Lanka? | Cricket News

Suryakumar Yadav has announced two changes to Team India for the Sri Lanka match (Images via Getty Images)

India captain Suryakumar Yadav confirmed two changes to the playing XI for their final Super Fours fixture against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup on Friday. The match has no bearing on the points table, with India and Pakistan already securing a place in the final. The most notable change is the resting of pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. With the title clash against Pakistan scheduled for Sunday, the side opted to keep him out of action. All-rounder Shivam Dube has also been given a break.

In their place, Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana have been drafted into the XI. For Arshdeep, it is another opportunity to prove himself in the death overs after he reached the milestone of 100 T20I wickets, while Harshit continues to make a case for himself. Skipper Suryakumar acknowledged that the team still needs to improve in certain areas, especially in the field. Reflecting on the previous match against Sri Lanka, he said that his men dropped a few catches in the last game, and that is something the team will want to do better in the coming games. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, came into the match already eliminated from the race to the final. Without a win in the Super Fours so far, they are playing only for pride. Captain Charith Asalanka won the toss and opted to bowl first, hoping his bowlers could restrict India to an achievable target on the chase.

Meanwhile, wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma continues to wait for his Asia Cup start. Despite much speculation, he has once again missed out, and with the final around the corner, his chances of featuring in the tournament appear slim.Playing XIsIndia (Playing XI): Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson(w), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Varun ChakaravarthySri Lanka (Playing XI): Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis(w), Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka(c), Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Nuwan Thushara