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When Will Rohit & Virat Play 1st Match?: The wait for Indian cricket fans is finally coming to an end. Led by captain Shubman Gill, the Indian ODI squad has arrived in New Zealand, and the players have already begun rigorous training on the field for the five-match ODI series, which kicks off on November 4. Team India currently leads the ongoing T20 series against New Zealand 3-1, but the real excitement is set to unfold in the 50-over format, where Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will return to the field to showcase their brilliance once again.
IND vs NZ ODI Series: Key Changes in Team India Squad
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Ahead of the ODI series against New Zealand, there have been a few significant changes to the Indian squad:
- Prasidh Krishna ruled out: Fast bowler Prasidh Krishna has been ruled out of the entire ODI series due to an injury.
- Nitish Kumar to prepare for red-ball cricket: All-rounder Nitish Kumar will be available only for the first three ODIs. In preparation for the upcoming Test series, he will step away from the final two ODIs to play the third unofficial Test for 'India A'.
1st ODI Date: When and Where Will Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli Play?
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The first ODI between India and New Zealand will be played on November 4 in Auckland. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli last played an ODI on October 3 against the West Indies; thus, both stalwarts are returning to the international cricket stage after a long gap of exactly one month. Following the first match in Auckland, both teams will travel to Wellington, where the second encounter will take place. Rohit and Virat could be seen in action across all 5 matches of this series, which concludes on November 15.
Also Read: India Performance in Hong Kong Sixes 2026: Out After 3 Consecutive Defeats
India vs New Zealand ODI Series 2026 Full Schedule and Match Timings
The schedule for all 5 ODI matches to be played between India and New Zealand is provided below:
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| November 4, 2026 | 1st ODI | Auckland |
| November 7, 2026 | 2nd ODI | Wellington |
| November 10, 2026 | 3rd ODI | Hamilton |
| November 13, 2026 | 4th ODI | Mount Maunganui |
| November 15, 2026 | 5th ODI | Mount Maunganui |
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli Recent ODI Form in 2026
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It will certainly not be easy for the New Zealand bowlers to stop Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the upcoming ODI series, as both batters have been in excellent form throughout 2026:
- Rohit Sharma: In the 12 ODI innings played this year, Rohit has scored a total of 604 runs at an average of 50.33, including 2 brilliant centuries and 2 half-centuries.
- Virat Kohli: In the 9 ODI innings he has played this year, Virat has amassed 552 runs at an impressive average of 69.00. He has recorded 2 centuries and 3 half-centuries so far.
Also Read: IND vs NZ 5th T20I Match Prediction, Fantasy Winning Team, Playing 11
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