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New Delhi: Indian cricket teams star all-rounder Hardik Pandya will be seen playing domestic cricket in January but he will not feature in the ODI series against New Zealand. The team management has taken this decision keeping in mind preparations for the T20 World Cup and workload management. Hardik to play for Baroda Hardik Pandya will represent Baroda in the final league matches of the Vijay Hazare Trophy in January. He will play against Vidarbha on January 3 and against Chandigarh on January 8 while he has been rested for the match against Jammu and Kashmir on January 6. Rest from ODI series focus on T20 World Cup The teams think tank decided to rest Hardik from the three-match ODI series against New Zealand. Although Hardik himself wanted to play giving him a break was prioritized keeping in mind the upcoming T20 World Cup. Hardik last played an ODI for India in March in Dubai. Expected return to T20s with Bumrah Both Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah are considered extremely important players for the T20 World Cup. Bumrah has been completely exempted from the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Both players are expected to return to the five-match T20 series against New Zealand which starts on January 21. Important decisions for the selection committee The Indian team for the New Zealand ODI series will be announced in the first week of January. Shubman Gills return to captaincy is possible while Shreyas Iyers fitness is being monitored. There is also tough competition for the wicketkeepers spot with Ishan Kishan and Dhruv Jurel in excellent form. Story Highlights Hardik Pandya to play for Baroda in the Vijay Hazare Trophy Hardik rested from the ODI series against New Zealand Hardik and Bumrah expected to return for the T20 series Gill Iyer and wicketkeeper options under consideration for ODI team selection