Star bowler Jasprit Bumrah and ace all-rounder Hardik Pandya are expected to be rested for the ODI phase of the eight-match white-ball series against New Zealand. The three-match ODI series is slated to begin on January 11.
It is expected that the two will return for the five T20Is that follow. The 20-over series will provide critical game time for two veteran T20I players, with the T20 World Cup 2026 scheduled for February and March.
Hardik Pandya has not played a single ODI for India since the Champions Trophy final earlier this year.
On the other hand, Bumrah has not played an ODI since the 2023 World Cup final in November. Unlike Hardik, Bumrah has been a consistent part of the Test setup. Hardik has turned himself into a pure white-ball player after becoming increasingly prone to injury while playing Test cricket.
Hardik recently returned from an injury layoff to represent Baroda in the 2025 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He then played a crucial part in India’s series victory over South Africa. According to, Hardik is expected to play two of Baroda’s final three league matches in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy.
MCA unsure on Shreyas Iyer
The Mumbai Cricket Association is not sure about whether Shreyas Iyer will return to the Mumbai squad or not. He has been out of competitive action since a spleen injury in late October. The ODI squad for the New Zealand series is expected to be announced on January 4 or January 5. However, it is learnt that Iyer may show up for Mumbai ahead of the squad for ODI selection.
The ODIs will be held on January 11 (Vadodara), 14 (Rajkot), and 18 (Indore). The T20Is will begin on January 21 and end on January 31. The Men in Blue will compete in Group A of the T20 World Cup. They are the defending champions going into the competition.
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