IND v NZ 2026: Bumrah, Hardik Likely To Be Rested For NZ ODIs

For the next ODI series against New Zealand 2026, Team India is likely to rest senior all-rounder Hardik Pandya and pace leader Jasprit Bumrah since the management is still putting long-term fitness and workload management ahead of important ICC tournaments.

Hardik Will Play a Domestic Tournament

Pandya is likely to play for Baroda in the current Vijay Hazare games. In order to keep up with the BCCI directive requiring participation in domestic games, it is expected that he will play in the domestic 50-over league.

Bumrah due to Workload

Bumrah hasn't played in an ODI since the 2023 World Cup final, and his workload is being closely monitored due to his importance to the team.

Opportunity for Bench Strength

Younger players and members of the outside squad may have opportunities in the ODI series against New Zealand if Bumrah and Hardik are sidelined. The bowling duties would probably fall to fast bowlers like Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Prasidh Krishna, and Arshdeep Singh.

 

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