In a significant development for Indian cricket, star pacers Jasprit Bumrah and all-rounder Hardik Pandya are reportedly set to be rested for the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand. The decision, aimed at managing their workload, comes as the team prepares for a packed schedule leading to the T20 World Cup.
Strategic Rest for Key Players Ahead of T20 World Cup
According to sources within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the national selection committee is prioritizing the long-term fitness of its key assets. The ODI series against New Zealand, scheduled for January 2026, will likely proceed without Bumrah and Pandya. This strategic move is primarily focused on keeping them fresh for the subsequent five-match T20I series against the same opponent and the crucial ICC T20 World Cup in February.
The management views both players as indispensable pillars of India's T20 setup. By giving them a break from the 50-over format, the team hopes to ensure their peak availability and performance during the intense month-and-a-half of T20 cricket that lies ahead.
Series Schedule and Player Comeback Context
The New Zealand tour of India will commence with the three ODIs. The matches are slated for Baroda on January 11, Rajkot on January 14, and Indore on January 18, 2026. This will be followed by a high-octane T20I leg, with games in Nagpur (Jan 21), Raipur (Jan 23), Guwahati (Jan 25), Visakhapatnam (Jan 28), and Thiruvananthapuram (Jan 31).
The absence of Pandya and Bumrah from the ODI squad highlights their recent history with the format. Hardik Pandya last played an ODI for India during the ICC Champions Trophy final in March, with subsequent fitness concerns keeping him out of the side. For Jasprit Bumrah, his most recent ODI appearance was even further back, during the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup, nearly two years ago.
Virat Kohli's Preparations in Domestic Cricket
In related news, batting maestro Virat Kohli is set to play one more match in the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) for Delhi in the New Year. This decision underscores his commitment to gaining valuable match practice and rhythm in the domestic circuit. Kohli's participation is seen as a crucial step in his preparation for the international fixtures ahead, setting a strong example for returning to first-class roots.
The selection committee's approach reflects a modern, data-driven mindset towards player management. Balancing immediate series demands with major tournament goals is a complex task, and resting key players for bilateral ODI series is becoming an increasingly common tactic in world cricket.
Fans, while possibly disappointed to miss seeing Bumrah and Pandya in action during the ODIs, will likely appreciate the larger goal of having them fully fit and firing for the T20 World Cup. All eyes will now be on the official squad announcement to see which young talents get an opportunity in the ODI series against a formidable New Zealand side.
