Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya To Skip NZ ODIs, Likely To Return For T20Is

Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya to Skip NZ ODIs, Likely to Return for T20Is. Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya are unlikely to be picked for the New Zealand ODI series. The decision is based on workload management. Both players are expected to return for the T20I series. The ODI series against New Zealand begins on January 11, 2026. The second ODI will be played on January 14, and the third is scheduled for January 18.

Reports suggest selectors want to protect Bumrah and Hardik. India has a packed international calendar ahead. The focus is on keeping key players fully fit. Bumrah has not played an ODI since the 2023 World Cup final. He has taken 149 wickets in 89 ODIs for India. In T20Is, Bumrah has 100-plus wickets at an economy under 7.

Hardik Pandya has also reduced ODI appearances. He has scored 1,769 runs and taken 84 wickets in 86 ODIs. In T20Is, Hardik has 1,500-plus runs and over 80 wickets. The five-match T20I series will start on January 21, 2026. Matches will be played across multiple venues. Bumrah and Hardik are expected to be key members.

India is preparing for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The tournament will be held in India and Sri Lanka. Both players are central to India’s T20 plans. The ODI series may provide opportunities for younger players. Selectors could test bench strength in their absence. This approach helps build squad depth.

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Experts have supported the decision to rest the duo. Injury prevention remains a major concern. India wants its best players to be ready for major tournaments. The official squads will be announced soon. Fans eagerly await Bumrah and Hardik’s T20I return.