Ravi Shastri urges Bumrah to focus on Tests ahead of New Zealand tour
Shastri also highlighted the importance of Naman Dhir as a middle-overs option in Bumrah's absence.
Former India coach Ravi Shastri said Jasprit Bumrah should not play all three formats until the 2027 World Cup and should focus primarily on Test cricket. Bumrah has been rested for the ten white-ball matches on India's New Zealand tour and will play only the two Tests.
Shastri said the entire tour would indicate where Indian cricket is heading and that conditions in New Zealand could mirror those expected in South Africa during the World Cup. He backed Bhuvneshwar Kumar's recall, calling his experience and control a no-brainer for New Zealand conditions.
Bumrah has missed the last three occasions India conceded 220-plus totals in T20Is. Bhuvneshwar returns to the T20I side after nearly four years following a strong IPL 2026 campaign with Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
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Shastri's workload prescription acknowledges that Bumrah's fitness is now the single biggest variable in India's red-ball planning for the next eighteen months.