Photo via The Times of India

‘He should not play all three formats’: Shastri’s advice for Bumrah

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has backed the inclusion of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami in the squad for India’s upcoming tour of New Zealand, praising their experience and recent form. The tour, set to begin on October 22, will feature a grueling schedule of five T20Is, five ODIs, and two Tests, offering a critical test ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa.

Shastri emphasized the need to preserve Jasprit Bumrah’s workload, advising against his participation in all three formats until the World Cup, while recommending he focus primarily on Test cricket during the New Zealand series. He also highlighted the challenges posed by New Zealand’s winter conditions, which could favor seam and swing bowling, and stressed the importance of strong partnerships and adaptability for India’s batting lineup.

Shubman Gill, leading the Test side, will face his first major test as captain, while Rishabh Pant was reminded to maintain his natural game and stay situationally aware. Shastri noted that fielding remains a key area for improvement, and India’s path to qualifying for the World Test Championship final hinges on winning a majority of their remaining matches, including both Tests against New Zealand and at least four of five against Australia.

Up nextCricket· 2d ago

Not Jasprit Bumrah. Tim Southee picks Siraj as India's key man in New Zealand Tests