India's squad for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand is generating considerable buzz, with reports suggesting that key players Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah are likely to be rested. This decision appears to be a strategic move by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to manage their workload, keeping in mind the T20 World Cup later in the year. The selection committee is expected to announce the 50-over squad around January 3 or 4.

With Pandya and Bumrah potentially unavailable, the door opens for fresh talent to showcase their skills on the international stage. Keep an eye out for potential call-ups for stand-out performers from the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy. This domestic tournament is a prime hunting ground for identifying promising players ready to make the leap to international cricket.

Players to Watch

Several players have been making headlines in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26:

• Devdutt Padikkal: The Karnataka opener is currently the leading run-scorer in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 (Elite) after round four, amassing 406 runs. His consistent performance at the top of the order could make him a strong contender for a place in the ODI squad.
• Aryan Juyal: The Uttar Pradesh batter is another player who has impressed with the bat, scoring 390 runs. His ability to score consistently could see him rewarded with a call-up.
• Ramakrishna Ghosh: The Maharashtra pacer is the leading wicket-taker in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 with 15 wickets after the fourth round. His form with the ball could make him a valuable addition to the ODI squad.
• Dhruv Jurel: The Uttar Pradesh wicket-keeper batter smashed an unbeaten 160 off 101 balls against Baroda, highlighting his potential as a destructive middle-order batsman.
• Navdeep Saini: The Delhi pacer has also impressed with both bat and ball.

Other Considerations

Shreyas Iyer's return to the squad may be delayed as he recovers. Shubman Gill is likely to lead the team in the three-match ODI series. Senior players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are expected to return to the ODI format after missing the South Africa series. The ODI series will begin on January 11 in Vadodara, followed by matches in Rajkot on January 14 and Indore on January 18.

The series presents an opportunity to test the depth of India's talent pool and provide exposure to players who have consistently performed well in the domestic circuit. With the T20 World Cup on the horizon, the selectors will be keen to identify players who can contribute across formats and build a strong squad for future tournaments.