To manage the workload of X-factor players, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to prioritize certain players for certain formats. In a major development, both Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah are set to be rested from India’s first assignment of 2026, which is a three-match one-day international series against New Zealand. However, the duo will play the five T20Is that follow, starting from January 21.
New Zealand will play India in the 3-match ODI series starting from January 11, with the games being scheduled in Baroda, Rajkot and Indore.
No Pandya and Bumrah in ODIs
Being the match-winners that they are, Pandya and Bumrah are part of the Indian T20 World Cup 2026 team and the same squad will feature in the home T20I series against the Kiwis. It is the same approach that the management took with both these players in the previous white-ball series against South Africa, where the two were rested in ODIs but played the T20Is.
As per Cricbuzz, the duo will be kept away from the ODIs right now, as all the focus will be on the preparations for the home T20 World Cup. Both Pandya and Bumrah are undroppable players. While Pandya recently completed a double of 100 T20I wickets and 1000 runs, Bumrah is the greatest T20 player India has ever produced. Even Virat Kohli would agree to it. Hence, both these players’ workloads should be managed carefully.
Without Pandya in the ODIs, India might try Nitish Kumar Reddy in the role. He was there in the previous ODI series against the Proteas as well but didn’t get a game. Instead, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar filled up two all-rounders’ roles. Meanwhile, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna and Harshit Rana took the pace-bowling responsibilities.
It must be noted that Pandya hasn’t played an ODI since the Champions Trophy final earlier this year, while Bumrah has been kept away since the infamous November 19, 2023. Following the T20 World Cup 2026 at home, India’s next ODI series will be against England away from home in July. Both Pandya and Bumrah, if fit, will be seen playing there.
Probable India ODI squad for New Zealand
Shubman Gill (c), Shreyas Iyer (vc), Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul (wk), Rishabh Pant (wk)/Ishan Kishan (wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana
Exclusions from South Africa ODI series: Dhruv Jurel (wk), Tilak Varma
