Hardik Pandya, India’s best all-rounder, will schedule his workload in advance of the T20 World Cup. Before being rested for the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, the Baroda star will play in two Vijay Hazare Trophy games in January.
It has been confirmed that Hardik would play for Baroda in their January 3 and January 8 Vijay Hazare Trophy matches against Vidarbha and Chandigarh. To give himself enough time to heal, he will, however, miss the match against Jammu & Kashmir on January 6.
“Yes, it is definite that Hardik will play for Baroda against Vidarbha and Chandigarh in their Vijay Hazare matches on January 3 and 8. In order to manage his workload in the run-up to the T20 World Cup, he will not be present for the match against Jammu & Kashmir on January 6. According to a source acquainted with the situation, Hardik wanted to play in ODIs against New Zealand, but the team think tank told him to skip the series because they wanted him to be in peak form for the upcoming T20I series and the crucial T20 World Cup.
Bumrah and Hardik will miss the NZ ODIs.
The Indian team think-tank suggested rest, despite the 32-year-old’s desire to play in the ODI series against New Zealand starting on January 11. With the T20 World Cup set for February 7 and the five-match T20I series against the same opponents beginning on January 21, the emphasis has turned to keeping the all-rounder in top physical shape.
His most recent ODI was in March, when he faced New Zealand in the 2025 Champions Trophy final in Dubai. Since then, his availability has been reduced due to injuries. He was unable to participate in the future tours due to a left quadriceps injury he received at the Asia Cup Super Fours in September. But during India’s most recent T20I series victory over South Africa, the all-rounder made a powerful comeback, returning to full bowling and batting duties and displaying no symptoms of rust.
Hardik continues to be one of the key members of India’s T20 World Cup squad, along with Jasprit Bumrah. Hardik few domestic appearances align with the BCCI’s demand that centrally contracted players play local cricket without sacrificing long-term fitness, while Bumrah has been completely spared from Vijay Hazare Trophy obligations.
Shubman Gill is anticipated to resume as skipper when India’s ODI team for the New Zealand series is revealed in early January. The selection committee will discuss wicketkeeping possibilities and keep an eye on Shreyas Iyer’s recuperation in the interim.
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