Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has publicly praised the inclusion of seasoned pacers in the squad for the upcoming New Zealand tour that begins on 22 October. Shastri highlighted the return of Bhuvneshwar Kumar to the Twenty‑20 International (T20I) side and affirmed that Mohammed Shami has earned his place back in both the One‑Day International (ODI) and Test line‑ups.
Veteran reinforcements
Speaking to the Times of India, Shastri described Bhuvneshwar’s experience as “a no‑brainer” for the conditions expected in New Zealand. He noted that the bowler’s recent form in the Indian Premier League, combined with his long tenure with the national side, makes him ideally suited to the seam‑friendly pitches.
Shastri was equally emphatic about Mohammed Shami’s case. The former fast‑bowling mainstay, Shastri said, has demonstrated sufficient performance with both the red and white balls to merit selection for the Test and ODI squads.
Bumrah’s role and workload
While advocating for the inclusion of experienced campaigners, Shastri cautioned against over‑using Jasprit Bumrah across all three formats in the lead‑up to the 2027 ODI World Cup, which will be hosted by South Africa. He suggested that Bumrah concentrate primarily on the two‑Test series in New Zealand, with only occasional appearances in the limited‑overs matches.
“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,” Shastri said. “I’d rather preserve him for the two Tests in New Zealand, where he’ll be crucial.”
The six‑week tour, comprising five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests, therefore serves as a crucial benchmark for India’s preparation ahead of the 2027 event. Shastri believes the conditions in New Zealand will mirror aspects of what the side may encounter in South Africa, providing valuable data for team management.
New Zealand tour stakes
Beyond individual player considerations, Shastri outlined the broader challenges that the Indian team faces on the tour. He described the series as “important” for gauging the direction of Indian cricket, especially with the World Test Championship (WTC) final still out of reach.
According to Shastri, India’s path to the WTC final is steep. The side would need to win roughly 90 percent of its remaining matches, which includes securing victories in both New Zealand Tests and at least four of the five ODIs against Australia. While not impossible, he warned that the outcome also depends heavily on results elsewhere in the competition.
Shastri expects New Zealand’s pitches, fresh after winter, to favor seam and swing. He highlighted that the ball is likely to move both in the air and off the surface, with wind conditions adding further difficulty. In such an environment, he believes partnerships will be vital, as wickets could fall in clusters.
Test captain Shubman Gill, according to Shastri, faces a “massive challenge” but is well‑placed to handle it. Gill is described as being in “prime form” and historically successful in New Zealand, with a good understanding of local conditions.
On the younger wicket‑keeper‑batter Rishabh Pant, Shastri’s advice is succinct: be smart, stay aware of the match situation, and play to his natural strengths. He emphasized that Pant should not try to alter his innate game style.
Fielding, however, emerged as Shastri’s biggest concern. He noted a “alarmingly” low standard in recent matches and stressed that improvement in this area is essential for success in major tournaments. While consistency in batting and bowling remains important, Shastri warned that fielding deficiencies could undermine India’s chances.
The tour will be broadcast live on Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV, offering fans the opportunity to follow the action from the first T20I on 22 October 2026.
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