Pace ace Jasprit Bumrah is set to return to T20 International cricket as he was named in India’s 15-member squad for the upcoming Asia Cup in the UAE, which begins on September 9.

Bumrah’s last T20I appearance was in June last year, when India lifted the T20 World Cup after beating South Africa in the final. Bumrah returned with figures of 2/18 from his four overs in the summit clash, and was pivotal in helping India clinch a nervy win from a hopeless situation. He was also named the Player of the Series for picking 15 wickets in the tournament.

Check out the full squad here – India team for Asia Cup

With the Indian team management keen on managing his workload, Bumrah has been short on game time in white-ball cricket lately, having last played an ODI match in November 2023. He also missed two of the five Tests against England recently after sustaining a lower-back injury in the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia in Sydney in January.

“I don’t think there’s any written plan. Been a nice break after the England series. Physios, team management has been in touch. Clearly, we want him available for all the big games. There are World Cups, Champions Trophy, big series like England, Australia—you want him available. Because he’s picked up injuries over the last 2-3 years, because of how special and unique it is—it won’t change. Based on how he’s feeling and how we require him, we hope he’s available more often than not,” Ajit Agarkar, Chairman of the Men’s Senior Selection Committee and former India fast bowler, said about Bumrah’s selection.

Bumrah will spearhead India’s seam-bowling attack at the Asia Cup, which includes left-armer Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana, along with all-rounder Hardik Pandya.

The Suryakumar Yadav-led Indian team will open its campaign against UAE on September 10 in Dubai, before taking on archrival Pakistan on September 14 at the same venue. It will end its group-stage campaign against Oman on September 19 before the Super Fours stage begins. The final is scheduled for September 28.