'Do not step into the Test side...': Ravichandran Ashwin warns Jasprit Bumrah over increasing workload

Former India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin believes that Jasprit Bumrah should focus completely on white-ball cricket and stay away from Tests unless the team needs him badly. This comes after the India pace spearhead has featured regularly for the Men in Blue in their last few Tests. He also played the Asia Cup and the five-match T20I series against Australia. He has only skipped the one-day format and now his next assignment will be the five-match T20I series against South Africa that will commence from December 9.

Ashwin remarked that he wants Bumrah to not play ODIs and instead feature in T20Is regularly. He further said that when it comes to Tests, the 31-year-old should be named in the playing XI only for important games.

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“I have a great relationship with him. If I were anywhere near him, I would go and tell him, you know what, just play the white ball format. Unless and until we need you, do not step into the Test side. And that is what I would tell him. But I know him personally. He loves the Test format. He wants to play as long as he can. He knows it is going to be a challenge," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

“But I think for Indian cricket’s sake and for Bumrah’s sake, I would love to see him play T20 cricket. I would not want him to play meaningless ODIs. I would want him to play meaningful Tests, if that makes sense. Bumrah is a treasure for India. A unique action which sets him apart, which also gives him a lot of trouble with his physical workload management. And that is how I would view Bumrah in the future," he added.

Bumrah's average form in recent assignments

Meanwhile, Bumrah hasn't looked to be at his best in the past few assignments that he has played. He finished the South Africa and West Indies Tests with eight and seven wickets respectively and additionally managed to take just three scalps in the Australia T20I series. He will be looking to contribute more in the upcoming T20I assignment against South Africa.

India to shift focus to white-ball cricket

On the other hand, India will now be shifting their focus to mostly the shortest format especially with the 2026 T20 World Cup in the horizon. Following the white-ball series against South Africa, the Men in Blue will be hostingNew Zealand for a three-matych ODI and five-match T20I series that will be held in January. They currently have no Test assignments scheduled until July, 2026.