BCCI urges Team India to prioritise Tests; Bumrah asked to play full WTC cycle: Report

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has urged the Indian team to refocus on Test cricket, with Jasprit Bumrah likely to play a central role by featuring in most remaining matches of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship cycle.

According to a report, Bumrah has been advised to prioritise Test assignments, including upcoming series in New Zealand and the high-profile Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. With India currently placed sixth in the WTC standings, the board is keen to revive the team’s red-ball fortunes—even if it means resting Bumrah from select ODI series ahead of the 50-over World Cup.

Workload management has long been a concern for Bumrah, who has faced injuries in the past due to a packed schedule. He missed a significant stretch, including the Champions Trophy, after playing all five Tests in Australia. While he was rested during parts of the England series last year, the current plan signals a shift, with the focus firmly on maximising his availability in Tests.

“The attempt is to keep Bumrah fit enough to play all Tests… The selectors won’t mind resting him for some ODI series,” a BCCI source said.

Renewed focus on Tests

India’s upcoming red-ball calendar includes a one-off Test against Afghanistan in New Chandigarh, followed by a challenging tour of Sri Lanka and then New Zealand, where India haven’t won a series since 2009—a campaign in which Gautam Gambhir played a key role.

The push reflects a broader attempt to arrest India’s recent slide in Test cricket. The team has suffered rare home defeats, including series losses to New Zealand and South Africa, raising concerns about its dominance in the longest format.

With a packed schedule ahead, the strategy appears clear: keep Bumrah fit, prioritise Tests, and rebuild India’s standing in the WTC cycle.