Jasprit Bumrah set to miss the upcoming ODI and T20I series. Here’s the reason

The Indian team has currently emerged as the premier side in white-ball cricket. Over the past three years, the team has won a couple of ICC titles—including the T20 World Cup in 2024 & 2026 and the Champions Trophy in 2025. The team also reached the final of the 2023 World Cup; however, in Test cricket, the team has been observed to be consistently struggling. In recent times, India has even had to face the humiliation of a clean sweep while playing on home soil. Consequently, with the aim of bringing about a turnaround in the state of Test cricket, the BCCI has advised the Indian team to approach the format with greater seriousness. A crucial aspect of this initiative will be the requirement for Jasprit Bumrah to play every remaining match of the 2025-27 WTC cycle, even if it entails missing a few ODI matches.

Bumrah's workload has always been a topic of discussion. He is currently the world's premier fast bowler; however, due to his workload, he has frequently faced injuries—a situation that has caused him to miss several major matches and tournaments, including the 2025 Champions Trophy. Subsequently, keeping his workload in mind, he was rested for two matches during the tour of England. Following that, Bumrah played every match in both series against the West Indies and South Africa. He is currently busy with the 2026 IPL.

According to a BCCI source, Jasprit Bumrah is set to play two Tests each against Sri Lanka and New Zealand. However, the real challenge for him will be to keep himself fit and fresh for all five matches of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, scheduled for early next year. To facilitate this, the selectors may opt to rest him during certain ODI series. Winning the upcoming Test series is imperative for India to secure a spot in next year's WTC final; otherwise, India will fail to qualify for the final for the second consecutive time.

“The attempt is to keep Bumrah fit enough to play all Tests. He is expected to play the four Tests in Sri Lanka and New Zealand. The challenge will be to keep him fresh for the five Tests at home against Australia. The selectors won’t mind resting him for some ODI series. He played T20 cricket after a gap of two years in the Asia Cup last Sept and still delivered,” a BCCI source said.

India will play their next test match against Afghanistan from June 6 to 10, after the IPL 2026. However, this match is not a part of the WTC; selectors want senior players to play this match. 

“The idea is to get serious about Tests. The Afghanistan Test may be outside the WTC cycle, but there’s nothing like match practice. The top players will be assessed, and a call on them will be taken accordingly,” the source added. 

In September, Team India will fly to Sri Lanka for 2-match test series. Following this, India will visit New Zealand for a 2-match test series, 5 ODIs and 3 T20Is. India will play their final test series of the WTC 2025-27 cycle against Australia in March 2027. A total of 5 test matches will be played in this series.  

The 50-over World Cup will be held next year, hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia in October and November. It would be intriguing to observe how team management handles Jasprit Bumrah in the future, with test cricket (WTC) and the ODI World Cup in mind.