Team India selectors are sure to take rest Jasprit Bumrah And hardik pandya For the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand in January 2026, as the team management turns its focus to workload management and long-term fitness ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Both stars are expected to be ruled out of the ODI phase altogether, with the think-tank seeing the series as a lower priority than the next busy T20 schedule.
Why is Jasprit Bumrah missing the bilateral ODI series?
According to reports, the Indian management is considering Bumrah and Heartfelt An indispensable match-winner in both ODIs and T20s. However, with the five-match T20I series against New Zealand starting immediately after the ODI phase, the priority is to keep both the players completely fresh for the shortest format.
The T20Is are being considered as important preparation for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which begins in India and Sri Lanka in February.
The selectors reportedly feel that the ODI series does not hold immediate importance for Bumrah, especially given his recent workload and injury history. The fast bowler has not played a 50-over international since the 2023 ODI World Cup final, with India managing his overs cautiously due to lower back problems.
The long-term approach is to gradually prepare Bumrah for the 2027 ODI World Cup, rather than pushing him into bilateral series that are not in line with key tournament goals. Despite missing the ODIs, Bumrah has been leading India’s T20 attack and remains central to their plans in the shortest format.
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Why not Hardik Pandya for New Zealand ODI?
Meanwhile, Hardik has not played an ODI since the Champions Trophy final in March 2025. With persistent fitness concerns having led India to limit his workload, the all-rounder is now focusing exclusively on white-ball cricket.
Given Hardik’s importance as a power-hitting all-rounder and seam-bowling option in T20s, the management is reluctant to risk him in a low-risk ODI series close to a major ICC event.
To ensure that the 32-year-old is match-ready, the BCCI may ask him to play one or two Vijay Hazare Trophy matches for Baroda, in line with the domestic participation guidelines. This will allow them to maintain the momentum without the intensity of international competition.
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