Overview
- Multiple reports say Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah will skip the three-match ODI series against New Zealand starting January 11 as part of workload management for February’s T20 World Cup.
- Pandya is slated to play for Baroda in Vijay Hazare Trophy matches on January 3 and 8, will miss the January 6 fixture, and is expected to rejoin for the T20I series beginning January 21 in Nagpur.
- Bumrah has been exempted from Vijay Hazare Trophy games, has started targeted T20 preparation, and is expected to feature next in the India–New Zealand T20Is.
- The Ajit Agarkar-led panel is due to meet in the first week of January to name the ODI squad, with discussions anticipated on Shubman Gill’s return, Shreyas Iyer’s fitness and the second wicketkeeper slot.
- Team management views Pandya and Bumrah as central to India’s title defence, while recent domestic form notes include Rishabh Pant’s 22 off 26 in Round 3 of the Vijay Hazare Trophy.