India's ODI Series Against New Zealand: Key Players Rested Ahead of T20 World Cup
Absences in India's ODI Squad
The first One Day International (ODI) match between India and New Zealand, scheduled for January 11 in Vadodara, will see the absence of two prominent players. Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya have been rested for this three-match series as selectors focus on their fitness in preparation for the T20 World Cup 2026, which kicks off on February 7.
Bumrah, who last played an ODI during the 2023 World Cup final, continues to be sidelined from this format. The team management has decided to manage the injury-prone fast bowler's workload, reserving him for key matches. Acknowledged as a match-winner in all formats, Bumrah will instead gear up for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand.
The Ahmedabad native displayed impressive form in the recent T20I series against South Africa, where he took four wickets across three matches. Although he had a challenging outing in the second match, conceding 45 runs in four overs without taking a wicket, he made a strong comeback in the final game. This series was also significant for Bumrah, as he became only the second Indian bowler to achieve 100 T20I wickets.
Hardik Pandya will also be absent from the ODI series. The seam-bowling all-rounder has not participated in a 50-over match for India since the Champions Trophy 2025 final against New Zealand. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has indicated that Pandya is not yet fit enough to bowl a full quota of 10 overs in an ODI.
Pandya recently played for Baroda in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26, accumulating 208 runs. However, his bowling was limited, as he bowled only two overs against Vidarbha and completed his full quota against Chandigarh. With the T20 World Cup on the horizon, the management aims to keep him in peak condition for the shorter format.
At 32 years old, Pandya has demonstrated his capability in high-pressure scenarios. Notably, in the 2024 T20 World Cup final against South Africa, he successfully defended 16 runs in the last over, leading India to its second title. His participation in the T20I series against New Zealand will be vital as India finalizes its preparations for the global tournament.