Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya likely to be rested for NZ ODIs - Report
The NZ white-ball tour begins from the first ODI match on January 11 in Baroda, followed by the second match on January 14 in Baroda and the final one on January 18 in Indore.
New Delhi: Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and star all-rounder Hardik Pandya are likely to be rested for the forthcoming series against New Zealand. The Kiwis travel to India for a white-ball series beginning January 11 comprising three ODI matches and five T20Is and considering more important assignments in the future, they will not play in the three ODI matches.
As reported by Cricbuzz, both Bumrah and Hardik, who happen to be an integral part of the Indian team, will be rested for only for the ODIs and are set to return for five-match T20I series against the Kiwis following the 50-over games. Keeping in mind the T20 World Cup 2026, the Indian cricket board selectors must have taken the decision of giving rest to both their players.
The white-ball tour begins from the first ODI match on January 11 in Baroda, followed by the second match on January 14 in Baroda and the final one on January 18 in Indore. The 50-over games would be followed by the five T20I matches starting with the first one on January 21 in Nagpur. The T20 series-opener will be followed by the matches in Guwahati (January 25), Visakhapatnam (January 28) and Thiruvananthapuram (January 31).
ODI squad to be announced a week later
Meanwhile, the report further mentions that the ODI squad is likely to be announced around January 4-5. Hardik, who only plays in white-ball cricket, has not participated in an ODI match since the Champions Trophy final in March because of fitness-related issues. On the other hand, Bumrah has not featured in an ODI match since the ODI World Cup final 2023.
So as to keep both the injury-prone players fit ahead of their title defence at the T20 World Cup, the BCCI has taken the decision. While Bumrah is not involved in any assignment, Hardik is expected to play for Baroda in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy.