Jasprit Bumrah Set to Play All Remaining Matches in World Test Championship

Bumrah's Crucial Role in India's WTC Campaign

Jasprit Bumrah, India's lead pacer, is expected to participate in all nine remaining matches of the current World Test Championship (WTC) as the team aims to improve its position after falling to sixth place in the standings.

Under the leadership of Shubman Gill and the coaching of Gautam Gambhir, the Indian team has shown inconsistency in Test matches, achieving four victories and suffering four defeats, resulting in a percentage of 48.15%. Their WTC journey has been precarious, having drawn a series against England, swept the West Indies, and faced a home defeat against South Africa.

As the WTC cycle progresses into its latter half, India's chances of reaching the final depend on a strong finish in the upcoming matches.

Bumrah's Commitment to the Team

The road to a potential third WTC final is challenging for Team India, with little room for error in the upcoming matches. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is optimistic about Bumrah's fitness, anticipating he will take on a significant workload in the forthcoming Tests.

"The goal is to ensure Bumrah remains fit for all Tests. He is expected to play in the four Tests against Sri Lanka and New Zealand. The real challenge will be keeping him fresh for the five home Tests against Australia," a BCCI source revealed.

The selectors are open to resting him for certain ODI series to maintain his fitness. After a two-year hiatus from T20 cricket, Bumrah returned during the Asia Cup last September and performed admirably.

Managing Bumrah's Workload

Bumrah's workload management has been a key focus in recent years. He participated in only three of the five Tests against England, where he took 14 wickets, including two five-wicket hauls, with an average of 26.00 and an economy rate of 3.04. He also played in the home series against the West Indies and South Africa.

Since the conclusion of the 2023 ODI World Cup Final, Bumrah has not engaged in any ODI series, prioritizing T20Is in preparation for the 2026 T20 World Cup and focusing on Tests as part of his workload strategy.

Emphasis on Test Cricket

As the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) unfolds, where many key Test players are participating, attention will soon shift back to Test cricket as the team prepares for a critical phase in the WTC cycle.

A BCCI source emphasized the importance of prioritizing Test matches, using upcoming fixtures as vital preparation while evaluating players ahead of a crucial segment in the WTC.

"The intention is to take Test cricket seriously. Although the Afghanistan Test falls outside the WTC cycle, it provides essential match practice. The top players will be evaluated, and decisions will be made accordingly," the source stated.

Upcoming Matches for Team India

Team India will continue its WTC journey with a two-match away series against Sri Lanka in August, followed by another two Tests in New Zealand. The Shubman Gill-led squad will host Australia for a five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in early January 2027, a crucial stretch that could determine their chances of making it to the WTC final.