India Likely to Rest Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya for New Zealand ODIs: Report

Star pacer Jasprit Bumrah and all-rounder Hardik Pandya are set to be rested for the three-match ODI series between India and New Zealand. The news was revealed by The Times of India on Saturday, December 20. According to the information revealed by the Times of India, the BCCI selectors are all set to give Bumrah and Hardik a break in the three ODIs against the Black Caps in January 2026 so that Indian cricketers can remain fresh for the five-match T20I series against the same group of players and the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

The series of three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and five T20 Internationals (T20Is) palying Indian and New Zealand cricket teams would take place on the 11th, 14th, and 18th of January respectively in Vadodara, Rajkot, and Indore, whereas the remaining five T20I matches would occur on the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 28th, and 31st of January in Nagpur, Raipur, Guwahati, Visakhapatnam, and Thiruvananthapuram respectively.

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Jasprit Bumrah Bowler

Jasprit Bumrah, a fast bowler for India, is known for his achievements in international cricket.

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Hardik Pandya All-rounder

Hardik Pandya, an Indian cricketer, is known for his aggressive batting and fielding skills.

A BCCI representative reveals that there is a definite strategy of the team management regarding Bumrah. “The plan of the management regarding Bumrah is very clear. Others may make all sorts of fitness regimes, but it is very simple. You plan the tournaments and matches where you want Bumrah to play.

It is good for the team that he plays the maximum number of T20Is before the World Cup, and since the Asia Cup, Bumrah has been playing. Bumrah's playing not only helped him get the continuity in the same format, but it is good that the captain and the coach understand the combination of the bowlers along with Bumrah. These matches have helped the selectors too, and now the next five T20Is against New Zealand will only cement the plan," said a BCCI official, as per a TOI report.

🚨 INDIA LIKELY TO REST KEY STARS FOR NZ ODIs 🚨

Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya are expected to be rested for the ODI series against New Zealand, as the team management plans to keep them fresh and fully fit for the T20 World Cup. (Source: Sahil Malhotra, TOI) pic.twitter.com/rZt9yhw6yB

— TheRealIPL (@the_ipl_com) December 20, 2025

“The next three ODIs against New Zealand mean nothing. You will witness Bumrah’s performance in ODIs when the team’s plan focuses on the World Cup of 2027. That is the plan devised by the new Indian cricket coach Gautam Gambhir to utilize the best fast bowler,” said the official.

There have been reports that the Indian middle-order batsman, who was forced to miss more than two months of cricketing action due to his injury sustained during the Asia Cup 2025 Super Fours encounter with Sri Lanka, will not play the first three 50-over matches, but will be selected in the T20I squad.

He might, however, be selected to play some matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy tournament. “There will be an equal approach for Hardik as well. Bumrah and Hardik are the most crucial members of the T20I squad at the moment, and it was reflected in the series against South Africa as well. There might be a chance that Hardik could play a few domestic matches for Baroda to keep his body firing, although there is no official confirmation on this front either,” stated the source.

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