Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has urged the team management to limit Jasprit Bumrah’s appearances in white ball cricket to keep him fit for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Shastri believes India should give the fast bowler more importance in Test cricket while using him only when necessary in ODIs and T20Is.
“I don’t think he should play all three formats till the ODI World Cup,” Shastri told Indian media on Sunday.
“He should play Test cricket and should play sporadically between one-day internationals and T20 cricket. He also shouldn’t be playing the whole lot.”
Bumrah has struggled with injuries at different stages of his career. The 32-year-old underwent back surgery in 2023 and has since needed careful management of his workload.
A left knee injury also ruled him out of India’s two-match Test series against Sri Lanka in August. However, he returned to competitive cricket at the Asian Games, where he helped India win the T20 gold medal.
India recently included Bumrah in their Test squad for the upcoming two-match series against New Zealand. The pacer will not feature in the five ODIs and five T20Is scheduled before the Test series.
Shastri supported the decision and stressed the importance of keeping Bumrah available for major matches.
“I would rather preserve him for the Test matches. That’s very important. He becomes a key member of that Indian side. Then he should be used sparingly in the other formats,” he said.
India have a busy international schedule ahead of the World Cup. After the New Zealand tour, they will host Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe for limited overs matches.
India will then face Australia in a five-match Test series at home, which will conclude in February. With several important series ahead, managing Bumrah’s fitness will remain a major concern for the Indian team.
The 2027 ODI World Cup will take place in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia from October 2 to November 21. Shastri believes India must avoid putting too much pressure on their leading fast bowler before the tournament.
