For the ODI phase of the eight-match white-ball series against New Zealand, star bowler Jasprit Bumrah and ace all-rounder Hardik Pandya are probably going to be rested. On January 11, the three-match ODI series is set to begin.
The two are expected to return for the next five Twenty20 Internationals. With the T20 World Cup 2026 scheduled between February and March, the 20-over series will be vital playing time for two seasoned players in the T20I system.
Bumrah has been a consistent part of the Test setup, in contrast to Hardik.
Since the Champions Trophy final earlier in the year, Hardik has not participated in an ODI for India. However, Bumrah hasn’t played in an ODI since the 2023 World Cup final in November. After becoming more and more prone to injuries during Test matches, Hardik has changed his style to become a pure white-ball player.
Hardik recently played for Baroda in the 2025 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy following an injury layoff. After that, he was crucial to India’s victory against South Africa in the series. Hardik is expected to feature in two of Baroda’s final three league games in the present Vijay Hazare Trophy, according to Cricbuzz.
MCA is uncertain about Shreyas Iyer.
Shreyas Iyer’s return to the Mumbai team is uncertain, according to the Mumbai Cricket Association. Due to a spleen injury sustained in late October, he has not participated in any competitive events. On January 4 or 5, the ODI team for the New Zealand series is anticipated to be revealed. Iyer, though, is rumoured to arrive in Mumbai before the team is selected for the ODIs.
January 11 in Vadodara, January 14 in Rajkot, and January 18 in Indore are the dates of the ODIs. The Twenty20 Internationals will start on January 21 and conclude on January 31. In the T20 World Cup, the Men in Blue are assigned to Group A. They are the reigning champions going into the tournament.
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