Why Hardik Pandya Misses India’s 1st ODI Against New Zealand

Hardik Pandya is not playing in the first ODI against New Zealand as he was not selected in the squad. The decision came after the Centre of Excellence did not clear him to bowl 10 overs. With the 2026 T20 World Cup nearing, the BCCI is prioritising Pandya’s fitness despite his recent domestic bowling appearances.