(Image source from: hindi.crictoday.com)
Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya are expected to sit out the next ODI series against New Zealand, based on a report from Cricbuzz. The report mentioned that this choice was made with more significant events in mind, especially the T20 World Cup in 2026. Nonetheless, both players are anticipated to participate in the T20I series against New Zealand. This series will be India's final T20I matches before the World Cup, and both athletes are likely to take part in all five games to get ready for the tournament. Hardik has not played any ODIs since the Champions Trophy final in March of this year, while Bumrah hasn’t participated in an ODI since the 2023 World Cup final. Additionally, the Secretary of the Mumbai Cricket Association, Unmesh Khanvilkar, mentioned that they will discuss Shreyas Iyer’s availability for the later rounds of the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy. Iyer has been at the BCCI Centre of Excellence since December 25 to assess his recovery from a serious spleen injury sustained during the third ODI against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground in October.
"We haven't talked to Shreyas yet. But we will discuss his availability soon. As of now, he hasn't confirmed anything officially, but he may do so in the coming days," Khanvilkar said to IANS on Sunday. The day before he arrived at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, IANS reported that Iyer had started batting again after beginning light gym workouts. He batted for about 30 to 34 minutes at the Cricket Club of India nets in Mumbai. A source keeping track of Iyer’s recovery stated that if everything continues to go well and he gets the go-ahead from the Centre of Excellence, he could play for Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy matches scheduled in Jaipur on January 3 and 6. It will be interesting to see if the selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar includes Iyer for the three ODIs against New Zealand, starting in Vadodara on January 11. The selection group is expected to convene in the first week of January. "Shreyas is making good progress at the Centre of Excellence. He hopes to return for the last two Vijay Hazare Trophy games. Now it’s up to the selectors to decide if he returns to the ODI team," the source added.
If Iyer rejoins the ODI team, it will greatly help the squad as they aim to strengthen their plans for the 2027 World Cup. After the first match in Vadodara, India and New Zealand will face off in the final two ODIs in Rajkot and Indore on January 14 and 18, respectively.
