India fast-bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya is set to play two of Baroda's final three Vijay Hazare Trophy league matches in January before being rested for the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, which is scheduled to start from January 11.
Why Hardik will miss ODI series against New Zealand
Hardik is the fourth T20 World Cup-winning star who will feature in the VHT matches after Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant.
“Yes, it’s confirmed that Hardik will turn out for Baroda in their Vijay Hazare games on January 3 and 8, which are against Vidarbha and Chandigarh. He’s not there for the clash against Jammu & Kashmir on January 6, as he needs ample break to manage his load in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup.
“Hardik was wishing to turn out in ODIs against New Zealand, but the team think-tank advised him to rest from the series, as they want him in fine fettle for the subsequent T20I series and the all-important T20 World Cup,” a source familiar with the matter told IANS on Tuesday.
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Hardik's last ODI outing
Hardik's last ODI outing for India came in March during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final against New Zealand at Dubai International Stadium in Dubai. Apart from Hardik, India's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah will also miss the ODI series against the BlackCaps. Pandya is expected to return for India’s five-match T20I series against New Zealand starting in Nagpur on January 21, before the T20 World Cup begins on February 7.
Both Hardik and Bumrah are considered indispensable to India's hopes for defending the T20 World Cup title by the team management. However, the latter has been exempted from featuring in Vijay Hazare Trophy games.
Hardik's international comeback
Hardik, who missed out the Asia Cup 2025 final after getting a quadriceps injury, made his international comeback during the five-match T20I series against South Africa earlier this month.
Sports Tak earlier reported that the BCCI will announce India's ODI squad against January in the first week of January. Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill, who missed the South Africa series due to a neck injury, will make his comeback and lead the side.