Former India head coach Ravi Shastri believes India should carefully manage Jasprit Bumrah’s workload to keep the pace spearhead fit and fresh for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Shastri has suggested that Bumrah should prioritise Test cricket while being used selectively in one-day internationals and T20 matches.
Bumrah was recalled to India’s Test squad for the upcoming two-match series against New Zealand, but he will not feature in the five ODIs and five T20 internationals scheduled before the Test matches. His absence from the limited-overs fixtures has brought renewed attention to how India plans to manage one of its most important fast bowlers.
Ravi Shastri Calls for Careful Workload Management
Speaking about Bumrah’s future role across formats, Shastri said India should avoid playing him in every match and instead use him strategically.
“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,” Shastri said.
The former coach added that he would prefer India to preserve Bumrah for Test matches, where he remains a key member of the team.
“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.
Shastri’s comments highlight the challenge of balancing Bumrah’s availability across international formats while ensuring he remains ready for major tournaments. Given his importance to India’s bowling attack, managing his appearances could help the team make the most of his skills over the coming seasons.
India’s Busy Schedule Ahead
Following the New Zealand tour, India are scheduled to host Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe for limited-overs series. The team will then face Australia in a five-Test series, which is set to conclude in February.
With a demanding international calendar ahead, managing the workload of key players such as Bumrah will remain an important consideration for the team management.
2027 ODI World Cup in Focus
The 2027 ODI World Cup will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia from October 2 to November 21. India will be aiming to build a strong squad for the tournament, and Bumrah’s fitness could be an important factor in their preparations.
Shastri’s suggestion is that India should not overuse the fast bowler in every format simply because of his importance to the team. Instead, a carefully planned schedule could help preserve his effectiveness for the matches and tournaments where he is most needed.
As India prepare for a busy run of international cricket, the challenge will be to strike the right balance between keeping Bumrah involved and ensuring he remains fit for the long term.
