'Fully-fit' Bumrah likely to miss ODI series against New Zealand

The 32-year-old is reportedly prioritising Test cricket over white-ball formats as he strives to remain at his peak for next month's series against the Black Caps and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy versus Australia.

Bumrah played his last One-Day International series for India against South Africa in 2025 before missing the subsequent two-match home Test series against Sri Lanka.

The paceman is reported to have begun his preparations for the red-ball series and may feature for India A in the third warm-up match to gauge fitness levels ahead of the first Test in Wellington.

"Bumrah is completely fit, but for a long tour, it's important to prioritise," claimed a Times of India source.

"The Test series is very important, so there's no point making Bumrah slog it out in the ODI's and then suddenly shift focus to red-ball cricket. He is the leader of the bowling pack, and a fresh, ready Bumrah is the priority right now."

Bumrah has played 52 Tests taking 234 wickets at an average of 19.79 while also making 91 appearances in the ODI format, with 151 wickets [23.74 average].

India are set to battle New Zealand in a two match Test series that will begin at the Sky Stadium in Wellington from November 19-23 before moving to the Hagley Oval, Christchurch on November 27-1 December.

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