Mumbai, Jan 11: Hardik Pandya’s absence from India’s ODI squad for the upcoming New Zealand series has raised eyebrows, especially after his busy return to domestic cricket.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), however, insists the decision is part of a broader plan to protect the all-rounder ahead of a packed international calendar and the ICC T20 World Cup early next year.
Pandya has only just rejoined the national circuit after sitting out with a quadriceps injury suffered during the 2025 Asia Cup. Following months of rehabilitation, the Baroda star resumed competitive action in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, delivering two solid outings in which he bowled his full quota of overs and smashed an unbeaten 77 against Punjab.His comeback continued in South Africa, where he featured in four T20Is, displaying glimpses of peak rhythm with the bat, including two half-centuries.
His bowling workload, however, remained restricted to fewer than three overs per game.
With the T20 World Cup scheduled for February 2026, selectors opted not to include him in the three-match ODI series versus New Zealand, stating that the BCCI Centre of Excellence had not yet cleared him to shoulder a 10-over spell in 50-over cricket.
The board’s medical team recommended workload monitoring, prompting the management to prioritise T20 assignments.
Despite that move, Pandya signalled he is operating close to full throttle by bowling 10 overs in Baroda’s Vijay Hazare Trophy fixture on January 8 against Chandigarh — picking up 3 for 66 while hammering a 31-ball 75. The all-rounder also cracked a century earlier in the tournament, reinforcing his readiness for the international stage.
Pandya remains a key part of India’s plans, having been named in both the five-match T20I series against New Zealand and the World Cup squad. Interestingly, India announced separate squads for the ODI and T20I contests, with Washington Sundar the lone player featuring in both.
For now, Pandya may be missing from ODI action, but his recent exploits suggest he is warming up at the perfect time — just as India’s biggest T20 campaign of the year draws near. (Agencies)
