Ravi Shastri Warns Against Bumrah Playing All 3 Formats Until 2027 World Cup

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has urged the Indian team management to carefully manage Jasprit Bumrah’s workload, advising the star fast bowler against playing all three formats of international cricket ahead of the 2027 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup.

Speaking on Star Sports, Shastri said Bumrah should prioritise Test cricket and feature selectively in One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and T20 Internationals (T20Is). The former coach believes a carefully managed schedule could help India preserve one of its most important fast bowlers for crucial matches and reduce the risk of injuries.

Shastri’s comments come ahead of India’s multi-format tour of New Zealand, which begins on October 22, 2026. The tour includes five T20Is, five ODIs and two Test matches. Bumrah has been selected for the Test series, which forms part of the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.

Ravi Shastri’s Advice for Jasprit Bumrah: Focus on Test Cricket

Shastri believes Bumrah’s importance to the Indian team makes workload management essential, particularly with the 2027 ODI World Cup approaching.

“I don’t believe he should be playing all three formats leading up to the ODI World Cup,” Shastri said, recommending that Bumrah focus primarily on Test cricket while making occasional appearances in ODIs and T20Is.

He also stressed that Bumrah should not be expected to play every match or complete every series across formats. According to Shastri, preserving the pacer for important Test assignments should be a priority for the team management.

Bumrah’s ability to deliver in high-pressure situations makes him a valuable option for India. However, managing his appearances across formats could help the team balance immediate results with his availability for major international tournaments.

India vs New Zealand Test Series: A Major Challenge for Shubman Gill

India’s upcoming New Zealand tour will provide an important test for captain Shubman Gill, particularly during the two-match Test series. Playing in New Zealand’s home conditions can be challenging for visiting teams, and India will need consistent performances with both bat and ball.

Shastri described the assignment as a significant challenge for a young captain, highlighting the difficulty of winning in New Zealand.

Gill, however, has already shown that he can handle responsibility at the highest level. During India’s 2025 Test series in England, his first overseas Test assignment as captain, he scored 754 runs at an average of 75.40 as the series finished 2-2.

His tally placed him second on the list of most runs by a captain in a single Test series, behind Don Bradman’s record of 810 runs. Gill’s performance in England strengthened his reputation as a batter capable of leading from the front.

The New Zealand series will offer another opportunity for Gill to demonstrate his leadership and guide India through challenging overseas conditions.

Ravi Shastri Backs Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s Return to India’s T20I Squad

Shastri has also backed Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s return to the Indian T20I setup, pointing to the fast bowler’s experience and recent performances.

The veteran pacer was recalled to India’s T20I squad after a lengthy absence from international cricket. Shastri described the selection as an obvious choice, arguing that experience cannot be replaced and that Bhuvneshwar’s performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) made him a suitable option for New Zealand conditions.

Bhuvneshwar’s ability to swing the new ball could be particularly useful in conditions that offer assistance to seam bowlers. His experience also gives India another option in the pace attack as the team looks to build a competitive combination for the upcoming series.

Rishabh Pant Gets Advice from Ravi Shastri on Match Awareness

Shastri has also shared his views on wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant’s approach to batting. Known for his aggressive stroke play, Pant can change the course of a match quickly, but Shastri believes he must remain aware of the match situation.

The former India coach said Pant should continue playing his natural game rather than changing his style to meet outside expectations. At the same time, he urged the left-hander to make sensible decisions based on the circumstances of the match.

Pant’s attacking approach has made him an influential player for India, particularly in Test cricket. Balancing aggression with situational awareness could be important as India prepare for a demanding overseas assignment.

Pant has been named in India’s Test squad for the New Zealand series, subject to fitness clearance following a recent side strain.

India Tour of New Zealand 2026: Schedule and Live Streaming

India’s tour of New Zealand begins with the five-match T20I series on October 22. The ODI leg is scheduled to run from November 4 to November 15, followed by the two-Test series beginning on November 19.

The tour will be important for India’s preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup, while the Tests will contribute to the World Test Championship standings.

In India, viewers can watch the matches on the Sony Sports Network, with live streaming available on SonyLIV.