India’s leading paceman Jasprit Bumrah is expected to prioritize ODIs over T20Is in the coming months as the team begins planning for the 2027 ODI World Cup. A BCCI source told PTI that Bumrah is likely to play more 50-over matches while the bilateral T20I series will be put on the back burner to manage his workload.
The change in focus comes soon after India’s triumph in the T20 World Cup, with the team now beginning preparations for the next major global event in the 50-over format. Leading India’s pace attack across formats, Bumrah will remain a key figure in both Test cricket and the ODI setup as the team builds towards the 2027 tournament.
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According to a BCCI source, managing Bumrah’s workload will be a key part of India’s planning in the coming years.
“Bumrah’s fitness, as always, is key to any Indian global campaign, so the Indian team management will have to be very careful and prioritize formats. Test cricket aside, he will of course play, but in the 50s World Cup cycle, he will be more focused on ODIs,” the source said.
“There will be about 30-35 odd games and one must not take chances,” the source added.
Jasprit Bumrah was the most lethal during it India’s defense of the T20 World Cup title in 2026. The pace spearhead finished as the tournament’s top wicket-taker with 14 wickets, all while maintaining an excellent economy of 6.12.
HOW IS BUMRAH’S ODI INVOLVEMENT?
Bumrah has not played a single ODI since India’s defeat to Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup final in Ahmedabad. The fast bowler has been largely managed cautiously since then due to recurring back problems.
He was also ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to a lower back injury and was replaced in the squad by Harshit Rana.
Over the past few years, India have taken a cautious approach to Bumrah’s workload to ensure he remains fit for big tournaments and key Test matches. A similar approach is expected to continue as the team prepares for the next ODI World Cup cycle.
INDIA TARGETING 2027 ODI WORLD CUP
India’s preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup are expected to begin this year after the IPL season. Once the tournament is over, the national selection committee along with the BCCI Center of Excellence and the team management will start working on a long-term plan.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir, captain Shubman Gill and Center of Excellence chief VVS Laxman are likely to participate in the discussions as they plan the next phase of India’s white-ball strategy.
While Bumrah may skip several bilateral T20I series, Test cricket and ODI matches are expected to remain his priority formats.
India’s pace attack in the ODI format is expected to revolve around a small core group that includes Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana once he regains full fitness.
Despite focusing on ODIs, Bumrah is also believed to want to represent India at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics where cricket will be played in the T20 format. For now, however, India’s planning revolves around ensuring that their top speed remains fit and ready for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
11 March 2026 10:44 IST
