Jasprit Bumrah Sidelined From India’s Plans After Poor IPL 2026

Jasprit Bumrah [Source: AFP]

Jasprit Bumrah remains one of the biggest pillars of India’s bowling attack, and the management continues to handle his workload with extra care. Ahead of the upcoming one-off Test and three-match ODI series against Afghanistan after Indian Premier League (IPL 2026), the BCCI rested Jasprit Bumrah alongside Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel. 

As a result, the premier fast bowler will miss both squads while the board focuses on long-term fitness and recovery.

Focus Shifts Towards ODI Cricket

According to CricBlogger, Jasprit Bumrah is now expected to prioritise ODI cricket as India start preparations for the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2027. Reports suggest that he may stay away from T20 Internationals for a period, whereas Test appearances could arrive only during major series.

Although Bumrah might miss selected bilateral contests, he will continue to remain available for important Test series against top nations including Australia, England, New Zealand, and South Africa.

It is important to note that Bumrah’s fitness management has consistently remained a major concern for the BCCI and the Mumbai Indians franchise. Prior to the ongoing IPL 2026 season, the premier pacer visited the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru for strength and conditioning sessions. 

Furthermore, the support staff has continuously monitored his workload throughout the season.

Also Read: Jasprit Bumrah Out, Auqib Nabi In- India Test Squad Vs Afghanistan Predicted

BCCI Plans Rest Ahead Of Major Events

It is important to note that BCCI sources informed CricBlogger that Jasprit Bumrah is likely to return during the ODI series against England. 

Therefore, the pacer may receive nearly one-and-a-half months away from competitive cricket before resuming preparations for the World Cup campaign. A similar workload-management model appeared before the 2026 T20 World Cup at home, when selectors reduced his ODI appearances.

Sources also mentioned that the support staff and selection committee may extend his recovery window if additional freshness becomes necessary. 

Notably, India’s think tank clearly views Bumrah as the country’s leading strike bowler across formats, and every decision now revolves around preserving his fitness for major ICC tournaments.

Jasprit Bumrah’s ODI Involvement Remains Limited

Interestingly, Jasprit Bumrah has not featured in an ODI since India’s defeat against Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup final in Ahmedabad. Recurring back issues forced the management to adopt a cautious approach over the last few years. 

Furthermore, he missed the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 after suffering a lower-back injury, and Harshit Rana replaced him in the squad. There are also discussions surrounding Bumrah’s continued participation for Mumbai Indians despite the franchise already exiting the tournament. 

A source stated, “What’s the point of making Bumrah play any more IPL games?” The comment further highlighted the need for immediate recovery following a lengthy season.

Meanwhile, Bumrah’s IPL 2026 campaign has also remained below expectations. Across 13 matches, the star pacer collected only four wickets and currently sits far down the wicket-taking charts. Even so, his reputation as India’s number one fast bowler remains untouched.

For now, Jasprit Bumrah is expected to feature in Mumbai Indians’ final league match against Rajasthan Royals.

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