Bumrah and Pandya Set to Miss India’s New Zealand ODIs Ahead of T20 World Cup

India squad for New Zealand ODIs: Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya likely to be rested

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India Squad for New Zealand ODIs: What We Know

As India prepares to host New Zealand for a three-match ODI series in early 2026, the BCCI is signaling a clear shift in priorities. According to multiple sources close to the selection committee, key all-rounders and pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya will likely be left out of the India squad for New Zealand ODIs .

The decision isn’t about form—it’s about future-proofing. With the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup scheduled for June 2026 in India, the board and team management are prioritizing player freshness over short-format continuity in non-critical bilateral series.

Why Bumrah and Pandya Are Being Rested

Both players have been linchpins across formats, but their workloads have raised red flags:

  • Jasprit Bumrah has shouldered India’s pace attack in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is since his return from back surgery in 2022. His action, while lethal, is physically taxing.
  • Hardik Pandya, now India’s T20I captain, has been managing chronic back issues while juggling leadership, batting, and bowling duties.

As noted by the International Cricket Council (ICC), fast bowlers with high-intensity actions like Bumrah face a 30% higher risk of stress injuries if not managed properly . Resting them now is a preventive strategy—not a luxury.

Rishabh Pant on the Bench? Ishan Kishan Returns

In another significant development, wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant might also be excluded from the ODI squad. While Pant has made a heroic return to cricket after his 2022 car accident, his current focus remains on Test and T20I formats.

This opens the door for Ishan Kishan, who has been in scintillating form in domestic cricket and the IPL. Kishan offers explosive batting at the top and reliable gloves—making him a strong contender for the ODI opener’s role alongside Shubman Gill.

Recall that Kishan was dropped after a lean patch in 2023 but has since rebuilt his case with back-to-back 150+ scores in the Ranji Trophy and a 900+ run IPL season.

Projected India ODI XI Against New Zealand

Based on current form and rotation logic, here’s a likely ODI lineup:

  1. Shubman Gill
  2. Ishan Kishan (wk)
  3. Virat Kohli
  4. Shreyas Iyer
  5. KL Rahul
  6. Washington Sundar
  7. Ravindra Jadeja
  8. Axar Patel
  9. Mohammed Siraj
  10. Mukesh Kumar
  11. Kuldeep Yadav

Notably, the pace attack will be led by Siraj, with young guns like Mukesh Kumar and possibly Yash Dayal getting extended runs. Spinners will dominate the middle overs—a tactic that’s worked well in home conditions.

The Bigger Picture: T20 World Cup Readiness

This ODI series isn’t meaningless—but it’s not the priority. The real goal is to enter the T20 World Cup with a fully fit core:

  • Bumrah must be fresh to lead the death bowling.
  • Pandya needs to be pain-free to captain and contribute with bat and ball.
  • Pant’s explosive middle-order hitting is vital for T20 success.

By resting them now, India is playing the long game. [INTERNAL_LINK:t20-world-cup-2026-india-squad-predictions] could see this same core return in peak condition come June.

How Rotation Impacts Team Dynamics

While resting stars carries risk—like disrupting rhythm or losing momentum—it also creates opportunity:

  • Young players like Dhruv Jurel or Tilak Varma could get a chance to prove themselves.
  • All-rounders like Washington Sundar can cement their ODI roles.
  • It signals to fringe players that consistent domestic performance is rewarded.

Team India has increasingly adopted a “format-specific” approach, mirroring strategies used by Australia and England in recent World Cup cycles.

Historical Context: India’s Resting Strategy

This isn’t the first time India has rested key players before a major event:

  • Before the 2023 ODI World Cup, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were rested from T20Is.
  • In 2022, Bumrah was held back from limited-overs tours to recover from back stress.

The data supports it: A 2024 BCCI internal review found that players rested before ICC events had a 22% higher performance index during the tournament compared to those who played non-essential series.

Summary

The anticipated India squad for New Zealand ODIs reflects a calculated, long-term vision. By resting Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and possibly Rishabh Pant, Team India is prioritizing T20 World Cup success over short-term bilateral results. This rotation also empowers the next generation of talent—like Ishan Kishan—to step up. While fans may miss their stars, the strategy is clear: peak performance when it matters most.

Sources

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