Jasprit Bumrah (Source: AFP)
Team India clinched the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup earlier this month by overwhelming New Zealand in a lop-sided final. The outcome marked India’s third successive ICC trophy in the span of just two years, following their heartbreak in the final of the 2023 World Cup.
Jasprit Bumrah concluded India’s victorious campaign with the joint-highest number of wickets, drawing level with teammate Varun Chakravarthy. The legendary speedster also made a roaring impact on the big day, dismantling the New Zealand line-up in the Ahmedabad final with exceptional figures of 4-15.
In the post-euphoria phase that has followed India’s title triumph, former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has voiced a measured concern about the team’s long-term bowling prospects, particularly with an eye on life after Bumrah.
Ravi Ashwin puts belief in batters for winning more trophies
Ravichandran Ashwin has praised India’s exceptional batting prowess, especially in white-ball cricket that led them to emphatic title victories at the 2024 T20 World Cup, the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy and the recently-concluded 2026 T20 World Cup.
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The legendary all-rounder stated that he has full faith in them to win over more ICC white-ball trophies for the Indian team over the next 10 years. While speaking with Revsportz, Ashwin said “The pedigree of white-ball batters that we have is something else. I have no doubts that India will go on to win quite a few white-ball trophies over the next decade. That will be from our batting.”
Ashwin concerned about Team India’s life after Jasprit Bumrah
While Ravichandran Ashwin placed his faith on India’s batting, the seasoned all-rounder struck a cautious note about the sustainability of India’s bowling attack, especially after the eventual retirement of legendary fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah.
Ashwin also expressed his concern that today’s youth might not be as interested in picking bowling as a trade owing to the rise of batting-friendly sentiment in the country.
He said “What happens after Jasprit Bumrah? He is a defining figure in this white-ball side. I am worried bowling is not as attractive as batting and kids might not take up the sport for those reasons. When I say sport, I think bowling and batting are different sports. Bowling as a sport is not attractive enough. It's like you are entertaining people, giving those sixes. So, who would really want to think that bowling will enable us to win tournaments or series.”
Jasprit Bumrah and the inevitable passage of time
Jasprit Bumrah, now 32, is not getting any younger, and the physical demands of fast bowling only grow more exacting with time. Moreover, in cricketing terms, 32 for a fast bowler is practically 36-37 in terms of a career mileage.
In any case, Bumrah still has a few more years left in him at the highest level if managed wisely. He is expected to play a huge role in South African conditions late next year for Team India in their 2027 ICC World Cup pursuit.
The multi-World Cup winner made his international debut way back in January 2016 under the leadership of MS Dhoni. So far, he has represented the nation in 52 Tests, 89 ODIs and 95 T20Is to bag a collective haul of over 500 international wickets.
Jasprit Bumrah gearing up for IPL 2026
As of now, Jasprit Bumrah is gearing up to join the Mumbai Indians franchise for the upcoming IPL 2026 season. He was retained by the Mumbai Indians management back in late 2025 last year alongside several other franchise zealots like Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya.
As per the IPL 2026 schedule, the Mumbai Indians team will play its opening match of the season on March 29 against the KKR in Mumbai.
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