Ravi Shastri has dropped a bombshell on the BCCI's selection strategy. The former head coach believes Jasprit Bumrah is being asked to do too much. “I don’t think he should play all three formats until the World Cup,” Shastri told TOI, urging the board to preserve Bumrah for the two Tests in New Zealand where he’ll be crucial. It’s a stark departure from the recent habit of tossing the pace ace into every white-ball match. Shastri wants him resting up for the big stage in South Africa, not grinding out T20I overs in Auckland.
But it’s not just about resting the star. Shastri is making a loud case for the veterans. He called Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s return to the T20I squad a “no-brainer,” citing his IPL form and experience with New Zealand conditions. Then he hit harder for Mohammed Shami. “He’s done enough with both red and white balls to be recalled to the Test and ODI sides,” the coach said. In Shastri’s eyes, the veteran’s experience outweighs the current form of younger options, especially in tricky conditions.
The stakes for this tour are massive. India starts the six-week slog on October 22, facing a schedule that mirrors the grind of a World Cup cycle. Shastri warned that the fresh New Zealand pitches, with their seam and swing, will be a harsh test for India’s batting line-up. “Wickets can tumble in clusters,” he noted, pointing to Test captain Shubman Gill’s leadership challenge. Gill, currently in prime form, will need to keep his top order glued together when the ball is moving in the air and off the surface.
Yet, the biggest worry for Shastri isn’t the batting or bowling. It’s the fielding. “It has dipped alarmingly,” he stated bluntly. For India to win major tournaments, the standard has to be higher, and Shastri sees this New Zealand trip as the benchmark. He also pointed to the World Test Championship table, noting India needs to win around 90% of their remaining games—including both Tests in NZ and four against Australia—to have a shot at the final. That’s a steep climb.
For wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, the advice remains unchanged. “Be smart,” Shastri said. “He has immense ability and shouldn’t change his natural game.” The tour kicks off October 22, and with South Africa hosting the 2027 ODI World Cup, every ball bowled in New Zealand counts as a dress rehearsal.