Team India’s campaign in the new year begins on January 11th, facing New Zealand. It will begin with a three-match ODI series, for which Team India has not yet been announced. Team India’s ODI squad is expected to be revealed in the first week of the new year. However, even before that, big claims have been made about three players. Speculation is already rife that star wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant will be dropped.

2 more star players can be dropped from the series

Now, two other veterans may be left out of this series. These two stalwarts are Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah. A report claims that Bumrah and Pandya will not be selected for the three 50-over matches to be played between January 11th and 18th.

The decision to rest both men from this series stems from the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026, which begins on February 7th, and both will be key players for Team India . Both played crucial roles in India’s 2024 T20 World Cup triumph, most notably their match-winning bowling in the final against South Africa.

Bumrah and Pandya are part of the T20 World Cup squad, which has already been announced. After missing the ODI series, both will return to action in the five-match T20I series against New Zealand, starting January 21st. This series will serve as preparation for the World Cup for both teams, both of which will be played in India.

A recent report claimed that Rishabh Pant could be dropped from the ODI squad. Ishan Kishan could return to the ODI team in Pant’s place. Ishan has already been selected for the T20 World Cup based on his impressive performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Now, following his 34-ball century in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he appears likely to return to the ODI team as well.