Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has backed Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s return to India’s T20I squad for the New Zealand tour, while also making a strong case for Mohammed Shami’s comeback to the ODI and Test teams.
India are set to embark on a six-week tour of New Zealand, beginning October 22, which will feature five T20Is, five ODIs and two Test matches. With the team preparing for a demanding schedule, Shastri believes experienced players could play a crucial role in challenging conditions.
Shastri said Bhuvneshwar’s experience and recent performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) made him a suitable option for New Zealand’s conditions.
“There is no substitute for experience. When you have a bowler of Bhuvneshwar’s quality and experience, it’s a no-brainer. With the form he showed in the IPL and his years with India, he’ll be ideal for New Zealand conditions,” Shastri told The Times of India.
The former India coach also backed Mohammed Shami for a return to the national side, stating that the senior pacer had done enough with both the red and white balls to warrant selection in the Test and ODI teams.
“He’s done enough with both red and white balls to be recalled to the Test and ODI sides,” he added.
Ravi Shastri wants India to manage Jasprit Bumrah's workload carefully
While advocating the inclusion of experienced bowlers, Shastri stressed the importance of managing Jasprit Bumrah's workload ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup. He believes India should avoid using the pace spearhead across all three formats regularly and instead prioritise his availability for key assignments.
According to Shastri, Bumrah should focus primarily on Test cricket while making selective appearances in ODIs and T20Is. He also highlighted the importance of having the pacer available for India's two-Test series in New Zealand.
“I don’t think he should play all three formats until the World Cup. He should focus primarily on Test cricket and feature sporadically in ODIs and T20Is. I’d rather preserve him for the two Tests in New Zealand, where he’ll be crucial,” Shastri said.
The former coach also believes the upcoming tour will provide a significant indication of India's progress across formats. With South Africa scheduled to host the 2027 ODI World Cup, the conditions in New Zealand could offer valuable preparation for the marquee tournament.
“The entire tour is important. It will give a clear indication of where Indian cricket is heading. Conditions there could also mirror some of what India might face in South Africa during the World Cup,” he stated.
India face uphill task in World Test Championship race, says Shastri
Shastri also acknowledged that India face a difficult challenge in their bid to qualify for the World Test Championship final. He believes the team will need a strong run of results in their remaining matches, including the upcoming series against New Zealand and Australia.
“For India, qualifying for the final is an uphill task. They probably need to win around 90 per cent of their remaining games, including both Tests in New Zealand and at least four of the five against Australia. It’s not impossible, but a lot depends on other results as well,” he said.
The former India head coach expects conditions in New Zealand to test India's batting unit, particularly with the pitches likely to offer assistance to seamers and swing bowlers. He pointed out that the weather and wind could also make batting challenging, requiring the visitors to adapt quickly.
“New Zealand will be coming out of winter, so the pitches should be fresh and conducive to seam and swing. The ball will move in the air and off the surface, and the wind can make things even tougher. India will have to adapt quickly,” Shastri said.
He further emphasised the importance of building partnerships, noting that wickets could fall in quick succession if the batters fail to negotiate the conditions effectively.
Shastri also backed Test captain Shubman Gill to handle the leadership challenge in New Zealand. While acknowledging that captaining India in demanding overseas conditions would be a significant test for a young leader, he expressed confidence in Gill's current form and familiarity with the conditions.
“It’s a massive challenge for a young captain, but Gill is in prime form and has always done well in New Zealand. He knows the conditions,” he said.
Meanwhile, Shastri advised wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant to remain aware of the match situation while continuing to play his natural game. He believes Pant's ability is not in question and that the key lies in making smart decisions at crucial moments.
“I’ve never told Pant anything other than this: be smart. He has immense ability and shouldn’t change his natural game. Just remain aware of the match situation,” Shastri remarked.
Shastri also identified fielding as a major area of concern for India, arguing that the team must raise its standards to compete for major trophies. While consistency with the bat and ball remains important, he believes improvements in the field could make a significant difference.
“The biggest improvement I want to see is in fielding. It has dipped alarmingly. To win major tournaments, the standards have to be much higher. Consistency in batting and bowling is important, but fielding is the area that worries me the most,” he concluded.
