By Harsh
January 06, 2026
IND vs NZ ODI series kicks off on January 11 in Vadodara as excitement builds over the possible return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
Virat Kohli’s absence from Delhi’s Vijay Hazare Trophy clash vs Railways on January 6 sparks fresh speculation ahead of the IND vs NZ series.
No official reason behind Virat Kohli’s absence, with many seeing it as a calculated part of his preparation plan for the New Zealand ODIs.
After smashing a century and a half-century in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Virat Kohli missed subsequent matches due to personal reasons, fuelling fresh buzz.
BCCI norms need just two domestic games for centrally contracted players — a requirement Virat Kohli has already completed.
Virat Kohli is likely to return straight in the IND vs NZ ODI series as team management focuses on international readiness over domestic appearances.