Bumrah, Pandya likely to skip New Zealand ODIs as India focus on T20 World Cup preparations

India are reportedly planning to give Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya a break from the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand, as part of a broader workload management strategy ahead of a demanding international schedule. With the T20 World Cup fast approaching, the team management is keen to keep two of its most crucial white-ball players fresh and fully fit for the global tournament.

While the duo are expected to sit out the ODI leg, both Bumrah and Pandya are likely to rejoin the squad for the five-match T20I series that follows. This approach underlines India’s growing emphasis on the shortest format, as the team begins to finalise combinations and roles in preparation for their T20 World Cup campaign. The ODI squad for the New Zealand series is expected to be named around January 4 or 5.

Rishabh Pant is also unlikely to be available for the ODIs. In his absence, the selectors may opt for Ishan Kishan or Jitesh Sharma to take on wicketkeeping responsibilities. The ODI matches are scheduled to be played on January 11 in Baroda, January 14 in Rajkot and January 18 in Indore. The focus will then shift to T20 cricket, with matches slated in Nagpur, Raipur, Guwahati, Visakhapatnam and Thiruvananthapuram from January 21 to 31.

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Managing Hardik Pandya’s fitness has been a key consideration over the past year. The all-rounder, now limited to white-ball formats, has not appeared in an ODI since the Champions Trophy final in March due to persistent fitness issues. Bumrah, on the other hand, has not played an ODI since the 2023 World Cup final, with the team carefully regulating his workload given his importance across formats.

Despite missing the ODI series, Pandya is expected to represent Baroda in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. This move would align with the BCCI’s guideline requiring centrally contracted players to participate in domestic tournaments. He is likely to play in two of Baroda’s remaining three league fixtures, scheduled for January 3, 6 and 8 in Rajkot.