India vs New Zealand ODI Series: India will soon be in action in an ODI series at home against New Zealand, which begins on January 11. In a major blow to the Indian team, Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah might not be seen playing in the three-match series. However, both the senior players are expected to return for the five-match T20I series.
India's squad for the ODI series against the Blackcaps is yet to be announced. Bumrah and Pandya are unlikely to be considered for the ODI matches as they have been rested so that they can remain fresh for the more important T20 fixtures. As per a Cricbuzz report, the team management has decided that Hardik and Bumrah, precious in no small measure in India's T20 World Cup defence, be kept out of the ODIs.
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Notably, Hardik has not played a single ODI since the Champions Trophy final in March this year, while Bumrah has not played an ODI since the 2023 World Cup final. Both players have witnessed injury issues in their respective careers lately. Interestingly, Hardik could turn up for Baroda in the ongoing Vijay Hazare games. It is likely that he will feature in the domestic 50-over competition so that he also follows the BCCI diktat of mandatory participation in domestic games.
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Like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who played for Mumbai and Delhi in the first two VHT games, Pandya may play in two of the last three league matches of the Vijay Hazare Trophy for Baroda, scheduled for January 3, 6 and 8, all in Rajkot.
India will be heading into the white-ball assignment against the Blackcaps on the back of a 2-1 ODI series win over South Africa, followed by a T20I series victory as well. Virat and Rohit will return to action with an aim to continue their outstanding batting form. After scoring 302 runs against the Proteas in the three-match ODI series, Virat smashed a century and a fifty for Delhi in the first two matches of the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Rohit also has maintained his dominance with the bat in the ODI format as he scored big runs in Australia, followed by a promising outing against the Proteas.