Don’t assume he ought to play all three codecs

Former Indian all-rounder Ravi Shastri urged ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah to focus primarily on Tests ahead of the upcoming New Zealand tour. The 32-year-old has dealt with injuries throughout his career, including a left knee injury that kept him out of India’s most recent Test series in Sri Lanka.

India have picked Bumrah only for the two Tests in New Zealand and rested him for the 10 white-ball games prior.

Talking about Jasprit Bumrah and his international future, Shastri told the Sony Sports Network (via TOI):

“I don’t think he should play all three formats until the World Cup. He should focus primarily on Test cricket and feature sporadically in ODIs and T20Is. I’d rather preserve him for the two Tests in New Zealand, where he’ll be crucial. “

Shastri also called the New Zealand tour vital for India, saying:

“The entire tour is important. It will give a clear indication of where Indian cricket is heading. Conditions there could also mirror some of what India might face in South Africa during the World Cup.”

India will play five T20Is, five ODIs, and two Tests on the New Zealand tour from October 22 to December 1.

“It’s a no-brainer” – Ravi Shastri on Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s comeback

Ravi Shastri backed veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s return to the Indian T20I side for the upcoming five-match series in New Zealand. The 36-year-old has not played for India since the 2022 New Zealand tour.

However, Bhuvneshwar set the IPL 2026 ablaze, finishing as the second-leading wicket-taker with 28 scalps and helping Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) clinch the title. As a result, he finally earned a recall for the New Zealand tour and was even added to the Indian lineup for the final T20I of the recently concluded home series against the West Indies.

“There is no substitute for experience. When you have a bowler of Bhuvneshwar’s quality and experience, it’s a no-brainer. With the form he showed in the IPL and his years with India, he’ll be ideal for New Zealand conditions,” said Shastri (via the aforementioned source).

Bhuvneshwar was in the Indian playing XI for the final T20I against the West Indies in Bengaluru. However, persistent rain abandoned the contest after only 7.4 overs in India’s batting innings.

Edited by Venkatesh Ravichandran