Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah and Co. Might Skip Last 2 ODIs vs New Zealand for Test Preparation: Report
India could make significant changes to their squad for the final two ODIs of the upcoming New Zealand tour, with captain Shubman Gill and Jasprit Bumrah among the players who may be rested to prepare for the subsequent Test series, according to a report published on September 20.
The scheduling of the tour has raised concerns over the limited turnaround between the end of the ODI series and the start of the Tests. India’s fifth and final ODI is scheduled for November 15 at Mount Maunganui, while the first Test begins in Wellington on November 19, leaving only four days between the two formats.
Why Could Gill and Bumrah Miss the Final Two ODIs?
According to the report, India could rest several multi-format players for the fourth and fifth ODIs and begin their Test preparations early. Shubman Gill and Jasprit Bumrah are among the names mentioned, while KL Rahul, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Siraj have also been reported as possible players who could be managed ahead of the Test series.
The issue is primarily related to the compressed schedule. The fourth ODI is scheduled for November 13 and the fifth ODI for November 15, both at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. The first Test then starts at the Cello Basin Reserve in Wellington on November 19.
No official announcement confirming that Gill, Bumrah or the other players will definitely miss those ODIs was available in the reports reviewed. Therefore, the reported plan should be treated as a possible workload-management decision rather than a confirmed team selection.
India’s Packed New Zealand Tour
India’s New Zealand assignment is scheduled to feature 12 matches across three formats. The tour begins with five T20Is from October 22 to November 1, followed by five ODIs from November 4 to November 15 and two Tests.
| Format | Matches | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| T20Is | 5 | October 22 – November 1 |
| ODIs | 5 | November 4 – November 15 |
| Tests | 2 | November 19 – December 1 |
The ODI series is scheduled to begin at Eden Park in Auckland on November 4. The second ODI will be played in Wellington on November 7, followed by the third in Hamilton on November 10. The final two matches are scheduled for Mount Maunganui on November 13 and November 15.
The Test series begins only four days after the final ODI, with the opening match scheduled from November 19 to 23 in Wellington. The second Test will be played in Christchurch from November 27 to December 1.
Shubman Gill’s Role in the Test Series
Gill is expected to be an important part of India’s Test plans, having taken over the Test captaincy in 2025. His workload across formats is therefore a significant consideration during a long overseas tour.
The 2026 New Zealand tour also carries additional importance for India because the Test matches form part of the ongoing World Test Championship cycle. India will have to switch quickly from the white-ball leg to the longer format, making preparation time particularly relevant for players expected to feature in both squads.
Gill has also been among India’s leading ODI batters in 2026. In June, he moved to second in the ICC ODI batting rankings after scoring 84 and 154 in the first two ODIs of India’s series against Afghanistan.
Jasprit Bumrah and Workload Management
Bumrah’s workload has been another important consideration for India’s selectors and team management. Earlier reports indicated that India were looking to manage the fast bowler carefully because of the demands of a crowded international schedule.
Bumrah is particularly important to India’s Test plans. In June, he was ranked among the top Test bowlers in the ICC rankings, sharing the top position with New Zealand’s Matt Henry at that point.
Giving him additional preparation time before a Test series in New Zealand could therefore be considered as part of workload management, although the reported decision has not been officially confirmed.
Could Shreyas Iyer Lead India in the Final Two ODIs?
One report has suggested that Shreyas Iyer could captain India in the final two ODIs if Gill is withdrawn from those matches.
However, this remains dependent on the final squad and selection decisions. There has been no confirmed announcement establishing Iyer as captain for those matches at the time of writing.
The possibility would allow the Indian team to divide its resources between the ODI and Test assignments, with some players remaining with the white-ball group while Test-bound players begin preparations for the red-ball series.
What Happens Next?
India’s final squad combinations for the New Zealand tour will determine whether the reported workload-management plan is implemented. The key question will be whether the team chooses to field its multi-format players in all five ODIs or releases some of them after the first three matches.
The schedule is already confirmed: the fifth ODI will be played on November 15, followed by the first Test in Wellington on November 19.
Until the Indian team management or selectors provide confirmation, reports about Gill, Bumrah and the other multi-format players missing the final two ODIs should be treated as a potential plan rather than a finalized selection decision.
FAQs
Will Shubman Gill miss the last two ODIs against New Zealand?
A report has suggested that Gill could be rested for the final two ODIs to give him more time to prepare for the Test series. However, his absence has not been officially confirmed.
When is India’s first Test against New Zealand in 2026?
The first Test is scheduled to begin on November 19, 2026, at the Cello Basin Reserve in Wellington.
How much gap is there between the final ODI and first Test?
India’s fifth ODI is scheduled for November 15, while the first Test begins on November 19. That leaves four days between the two fixtures.
Could Jasprit Bumrah also miss the final two ODIs?
Bumrah is among the players mentioned in reports as potentially being rested for the final two ODIs to focus on Test preparation. His participation will depend on the final team-management and selection decisions.
