Bumrah and Hardik Likely to Be Rested for New Zealand ODIs

Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah are likely to be rested for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand to stay fresh for the crucial T20 World Cup 2026 preparations. Both players are expected to return for the five-match T20I series after the ODIs. With the squad set to assemble in Baroda on January 7, the team focuses on maintaining peak fitness ahead of the World Cup in February.

Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah Likely to Be Rested for New Zealand ODIs

As India gears up for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand, key players Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah are likely to be rested for the three matches in January. This decision is made with the more significant T20 World Cup 2026 assignments ahead, ensuring both players remain fresh and fit for the crucial T20I series against New Zealand in January.

India’s Strategy for T20 World Cup 2026 Preparation

The T20 World Cup 2026 is just around the corner, and India has decided to rest Bumrah and Pandya for the ODI series to ensure they’re in peak condition for the upcoming T20Is. The five-match T20I series against New Zealand will be the final opportunity for India to finalise their preparations ahead of the World Cup in February. The five T20Is will be held in Nagpur (January 21), Raipur (January 23), Guwahati (January 25), Visakhapatnam (January 28), and Thiruvananthapuram (January 31).

ODI Schedule and Bumrah-Pandya Rest

The ODI series against New Zealand will be held from January 11 to January 18, with matches in Baroda, Rajkot, and Indore. However, Pandya and Bumrah are unlikely to be considered for these one-day fixtures, ensuring they are fully rested for the more critical T20 World Cup preparations.

The ODI squad is expected to be announced around January 3-4, with Hardik Pandya expected to play domestic cricket for Baroda in the Vijay Hazare Trophy before joining the Indian squad. Pandya has been absent from ODIs since the Champions Trophy final in March due to fitness concerns. Still, he is likely to feature in a couple of VHT matches to fulfil the BCCI’s mandatory participation rule for domestic competitions.

Key Player Updates

Virat Kohli will return for the penultimate Vijay Hazare Trophy league match on January 6 against Railways at the KSCA Ground in Alur. After this match, he will rejoin the Indian team for the three ODIs against New Zealand. Similarly, Rohit Sharma has completed his domestic duties and will focus on the ODI series against New Zealand.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, who had been sidelined due to illness, is expected to join the Mumbai squad soon and will play in the remaining matches before linking up with the ODI squad in Baroda on January 7. Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube will also join the Mumbai squad soon.

Shreyas Iyer's Fitness and Potential Return

The return of Shreyas Iyer, who has been recovering from a spleen injury, remains uncertain. Iyer, who has undergone surgery, has been training at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) and may feature in Mumbai’s match against Maharashtra on January 3 as part of his fitness test. However, it is still unclear if he will be available for the ODI series against New Zealand, with his fitness being carefully monitored.

Conclusion

With Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah resting for the ODI series against New Zealand, India’s focus remains on ensuring their key players are in top form for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026. The T20I series provides a crucial opportunity for India to fine-tune their squad ahead of the global event, and the team management is taking no chances when it comes to the fitness and preparedness of players like Pandya and Bumrah.

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