Jasprit Bumrah not picked for 1st New Zealand-India ODI to preserve him for Test series

Jasprit Bumrah will not play in the first ODI between India and New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland on November 4, 2026, after the Indian management opted to rest him ahead of the forthcoming Test series.

The two teams meet in a five-match ODI series with Shubman Gill leading India and Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli returning to the 50-over format. The opening match at Eden Park is scheduled to start at 7:30 AM IST. India plan to use the ODI window while also managing players who are part of their Test squad.

The short gap between the limited-overs and red-ball programmes has forced selection compromises, with Test regulars set to miss the last two ODIs. Gill said: "Both formats are important. Unfortunately, because we are playing the ODIs in between, some of the players who are part of the Test team will have to miss the last two ODIs." He added that he would have preferred to play the full squad in all five ODIs if there had been a longer break between the two series.

India sit fourth in the World Test Championship standings and, according to the team briefing, must win their remaining matches to improve their chances of reaching the final. That position in the WTC was cited by the management as a reason to prioritise Test preparation over using the Test group for the full ODI series.

Bumrah's absence from the first match increases responsibility on India’s other pace options. Mohammed Siraj has been identified as carrying a larger share of the new-ball burden, while Arshdeep Singh and Gurnoor Brar are expected to play important roles and other fast bowlers will aim to make the most of their opportunities.

Bumrah is expected to return to India’s bowling attack for the Test series. With the ODI series concluding on November 15 and the first Test scheduled to begin just four days later on November 19 in Wellington, India have prioritised keeping key Test players fresh for the two-match Test assignment.