IND vs NZ 1st ODI: Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma in focus as India eye strong start vs New Zealand

NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s rich vein of form is set to headline India’s ODI campaign as the hosts, at full strength, face a revamped New Zealand side in the opening match of the three-ODI series on Sunday.



Even with the T20 World Cup less than a month away, the spotlight over the next week will firmly remain on Kohli and Rohit, who continue to underline their enduring relevance in the 50-over format. Both batters have had ample match practice, featuring in a couple of Vijay Hazare Trophy league games and piling up runs to show that their appetite and ability remain intact.




A subplot to watch closely will be how India captain Shubman Gill responds after being left out of the T20 World Cup squad. Gill’s omission followed a run of indifferent form, compounded by injuries that restricted his participation during the South Africa series late last year. His return to the ODI XI, however, could push Yashasvi Jaiswal out of the top order, despite the left-hander scoring his maiden ODI century in the final match against South Africa.


The comeback of Shreyas Iyer is expected to bring stability to the middle order after a prolonged phase of experimentation. The 31-year-old is likely to slot straight back into his familiar No. 4 position. KL Rahul’s continued role as a lower-order batter and wicketkeeper means Rishabh Pant remains the second-choice option in the format.


While Iyer, Pant and Mohammed Siraj were absent from training until Saturday, Ravindra Jadeja went through a full session on Friday, signalling his readiness. With Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya rested to manage workloads ahead of the T20 season, India’s pace attack will be handled by Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna. Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar and Jadeja will shoulder spin duties on surfaces where dew and flat pitches often place a premium on control rather than outright aggression.


The series opener also marks a milestone for the Baroda Cricket Association Stadium at Kotambi, which will host its first men’s international, having earlier staged a women’s ODI series between India and the West Indies.


For New Zealand, the series offers a chance to assess fresh faces, with last year’s Champions Trophy final loss to India largely irrelevant in the current context. Despite missing several frontline players, the Black Caps are expected to lean on the mindset that powered their stunning 3-0 Test series win in India in 2024-25.


Mitchell Santner is sidelined with a groin injury, Tom Latham has returned home for the birth of his first child, and Kane Williamson is engaged in the SA20. Rachin Ravindra and Jacob Duffy have been rested, while Matt Henry is being eased back with an eye on the T20Is. Michael Bracewell will lead the side, with attention also on Kyle Jamieson and young leg-spinner Adithya Ashok, even as the batting still boasts depth through Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Will Young and Glenn Phillips.
Teams (from):India: Shubman Gill (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul (wk), Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana.


New Zealand: Michael Bracewell (c), Devon Conway (wk), Mitchell Hay (wk), Nick Kelly, Henry Nicholls, Will Young, Josh Clarkson, Zak Foulkes, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Adithya Ashok, Kristian Clarke, Kyle Jamieson, Jayden Lennox, Michael Rae.





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