Bumrah might be limited to playing only T20Is after the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Team India might have to prepare for a future where ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah is limited to playing only T20Is after the 2027 ODI World Cup, slated to be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Due to recurring, deep-seated fitness struggles and the intense physical demands of fast bowling, managing Bumrah’s long-term career means the national side must gradually transition away from depending on him in Tests and ODIs.
Bumrah suffered an impact injury and subsequent reactive swelling in his left knee during the ODI tour of England. He has been carrying lingering left-knee discomfort linked back to the T20 World Cup.
Despite receiving an injection and undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru, the right-arm quick continued to experience discomfort, prompting medical staff to advise against rushing his return. Jammu & Kashmir seamer Auqib Nabi eventually replaced him in the Test squad.
“The CoE was working on increasing Bumrah’s workload before the Test series in Sri Lanka. It was felt that he would not be ready in time. It has been a long time since he has bowled in longer formats for a while," TOI quoted a source as saying.
“The CoE is very careful about him. They haven’t given any timeline on him. Anyway, Indian cricket may have to now start getting ready for life without Bumrah, especially in the longer formats after next year," the source added.
Besides Bumrah, the Indian cricket team faces unprecedented injury crisis with several key players undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI CoE, severely disrupting squad balance across formats.
Another pacer Akash Deep has been out of action for the longest time since Bengal's Ranji Trophy semi-final defeat due to lower back stress fracture.
“For Akash Deep, the CoE’s target was to get him cricket fit by the Sri Lanka tour. That has not happened. Now, they have not communicated any timeline to the team management and the selection committee," the source said.
The source added that CoE is targeting the upcoming Test tour of New Zealand for Akash’s return.