IND vs NZ ODI: Are these star players out of the ODI series against New Zealand? Pant also likely to be left out of the team
In the new year, Team India's first international match will be against New Zealand, and the Indian team for the three-match ODI series starting from January 11 has not yet been announced. However, according to a report by Cricbuzz, star bowler Jasprit Bumrah and all-rounder Hardik Pandya will both be rested. After speculations about Rishabh Pant being left out of the team, the news of these two stalwarts being left out has come to light, causing disappointment among fans.
The reason for keeping both away from this series is the preparation for the 2026 T-20 World Cup. This World Cup will start from February 7, and Bumrah and Pandya will be the main pillars of Team India for it. Their match-winning bowling in the final match against South Africa in the 2024 T-20 World Cup was decisive. Even if they do not play in the ODI series, both will return in the five T-20 matches series against New Zealand from January 21. This series will be an important preparation for the World Cup, and both series will be played in India.
Meanwhile, even if Hardik Pandya remains out of the ODI team, he can play at least two matches for Baroda in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Although the BCCI has ordered senior players to participate in domestic tournaments, Bumrah has been exempted from this. The selection committee will announce the ODI team in an online meeting on January 3 or 4. Reports suggest that Rishabh Pant will be left out and Ishan Kishan will be given another opportunity. After an impressive performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Ishan was selected for the T20 World Cup, and after scoring a century in 34 balls in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, there is a possibility of his return to the ODI team.
Due to this selection, cricket fans are focused on how Team India's composition will be and which young players will get a chance in the first series of the new year. The series against New Zealand is important for India, and it will be interesting to see how these changes will be effective for World Cup preparations.