In a strategic bid to revitalize the team's red-ball campaign, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has issued a clear directive: Test cricket is now the top priority. Central to this mission is ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who has been instructed to feature in every remaining fixture of the current World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. This mandate requires his participation in the two upcoming Tests against New Zealand, as well as the high-stakes, five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia early next year.
Jasprit Bumrah set for full WTC cycle commitment in BCCI’s renewed Test focus
The decision stems from India’s current standing on the WTC points table, where the team currently languishes in sixth place. To improve these rankings and secure a path to the final, the board is willing to adjust its long-term planning. Consequently, the BCCI is prepared to let Bumrah sit out select ODI series to ensure he remains fresh for red-ball duties, even with the 50-over World Cup on the horizon just over a year from now.
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Managing Bumrah’s workload has historically been a delicate balancing act, as the pacer has proven susceptible to injury when pushed through heavy playing schedules. In the past, the team adopted a cautious approach, such as resting him during the England series last August–September to mitigate the risk of injury—a concern highlighted after he missed the Champions Trophy following the previous tour of Australia. However, as the 2025-26 WTC cycle reaches a critical juncture, the team management has shifted its strategy. Recognizing Bumrah as an invaluable asset, the board is moving away from rotation policies, prioritizing his presence in the squad to bolster India's chances in the tournament.
“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,” BCCI source said as quoted by TOI.
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India’s immediate red-ball focus kicks off with a one-off Test against Afghanistan in New Chandigarh, beginning June 6. While this fixture falls outside the current World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, it serves as a vital warm-up for the grueling challenges that lie ahead. Following this, the team will travel to Sri Lanka in September for a two-Test series, where their ability to counter high-quality spin bowling will be put to a stern test. The schedule then intensifies with a tour of New Zealand, a destination where India hasn’t secured a series win since 2009—before they return home for the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series in February and March of 2027, where the goal will be to retain the title.
Team India's challenging WTC campaign
These upcoming fixtures come at a critical juncture as the team grapples with a sharp downturn in their Test cricket performance. In just two years, India has suffered the humiliation of being whitewashed on home soil twice: a 0-3 defeat against New Zealand in 2024 and a 0-2 loss to South Africa last November. For a side that once maintained an aura of invincibility at home while proving to be a formidable threat in all conditions, this recent downward trajectory under Gautam Gambhir’s tenure has been a significant and alarming cause for concern for the team’s management and supporters alike.