BCCI to take major decision on Jasprit Bumrah’s selection after IPL 2026

After the success of India’s T20 World Cup 2026, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selectors have planned to chart their plans for the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle and the upcoming ODI World Cup 2027 in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. The current attention for all the Indian players has been on the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.

And at the center of their team’s preparation, the focus remains on the fitness of their premier pacer, Jasprit Bumrah. The BCCI wants the pacer, who has a unique action putting extra stress on the body, to play all nine Tests of the WTC in the upcoming season, including the five games at home against Australia early next year. 

India seeks Bumrah’s services in all nine Tests of WTC cycle

India will play a one-off red-ball clash against Afghanistan in Chandigarh from June 6, but that’s not part of the WTC cycle. They are due to feature in the two more Tests against Sri Lanka and New Zealand away from home before hosting the Pat Cummins-led side in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2027.

The reports have claimed that the priority for India would still be on the red-ball games despite having the World Cup only 15 months later. They are currently placed at number six in the WTC cycle.

“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.” The reports of TOI revealed.

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“The idea is to get serious about Tests. The Afghanistan Test may be outside the WTC cycle, but there’s nothing like match practice. The top players will be assessed, and a call on them will be taken accordingly.” It addressed.

India aims for newly formed middle order in Tests

After being blanked in the last home season against South Africa, losing the series by 0-2, India’s Test captain, Shubman Gill, called for a massive turnaround. And the Afghanistan series will be a great stage for their preparation. They last played the Asian side in 2018 during a one-off Test when all the marquee players took a rest.

The reports have also highlighted that Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel, and Ruturaj Gaikwad are seen as the middle-order batters. The team may also keep an eye on Jurel as a pure batter on the side.

Padikkal has been seen as the number three batter in place of struggling Sai Sudharsan. They reckoned that Gaikwad could also be a strong member against the turning ball in home conditions.