"Jasprit Bumrah Shouldn't Play All 3 Formats": Ravi Shastri Makes Debate-Stirring Remark

Jasprit Bumrah will skip the upcoming white-ball series against New Zealand, starting on October 22.© BCCI

India pacer Jasprit Bumrah will skip the upcoming white-ball series against New Zealand, starting on October 22, after being rested by the team management for the two Tests against the same opposition. While his absence will be felt as India prepare to play five T20Is and an equal number of ODIs, the management has decided to manage his workload with the ODI World Cup and a potential World Test Championship (WTC) final looming next year. In a recent interaction, Ravi Shastri backed the BCCI's stance on Jasprit Bumrah, saying the pace spearhead should be preserved for one format, with only occasional appearances in white-ball cricket.

"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 told the Times of India.

Jasprit Bumrah will lead a four-man pace attack in New Zealand, comprising Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna and the returning Akash Deep.

The selectors have once again sidelined veteran pacer Mohammed Shami for the entire tour despite his exceptional performances in the domestic circuit since the start of last season.

Shami last featured in an international match back in March last year, in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy against New Zealand that India won. Notably, Shami played a key role in India's tournament win as he grabbed nine wickets in five innings at an average of 25.88.

Since then, the Bengal pacer has featured in the Duleep Trophy 2026, taking seven wickets in three matches at an average of 26.57 to help East Zone clinch the title. He also claimed 37 wickets for Bengal in seven matches during the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season, at an average of 16.72. In the one match that he played in the 2026-27 season of the Ranji Trophy, Shami returned figures of 4/30 & 1/29.

(With ANI Inputs)

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