It is understood that the duo will return and the five T20Is will follow. The 20-over series will serve as crucial playing time for two experienced players in the T20I lineup, with the 2026 T20 World Cup to be played in February and March.
Hardik has not played a single ODI yet India since the Champions Trophy final earlier this year. On the other hand, Bumrah has not featured in an ODI since the 2023 World Cup final in November. Unlike Hardik, Bumrah was a regular part of the Test line-up. Hardik has transformed himself into a pure white-ball player after becoming increasingly injury-prone while playing Tests.
After a recent injury layoff, Hardik recently represented Baroda in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025. He then played a key role in India’s win against South Africa. According to Cricbuzz, Hardik is on course to play in two of the last three league matches of the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy for Baroda.
MCA unsure about Shreyas Iyer
The Mumbai Cricket Association is not sure whether Shreyas Iyer will return to the Mumbai squad or not. He has been out of competition since a spleen injury in late October. The ODI squad for the New Zealand series is expected to be announced on January 4 or 5. However, it is learned that Iyer may appear ahead of the squad for ODI selection in Mumbai.
The ODIs will be played on January 11 (Vadodara), January 14 (Rajkot) and January 18 (Indore). The T20Is start on January 21 and end on January 31. The Men in Blue have been drawn into Group A of the T20 World Cup. They enter the competition as defending champions.
Get every cricket update! Follow us:
#IND #Jasprit #Bumrah #Hardik #Pandya #rested #ODI #series #CricTracker