India and New Zealand are set to lock horns in a much-anticipated three-match ODI series, with the opening game scheduled for January 11 at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara.
Both teams have already arrived in the city and begun preparations, setting the stage for an exciting start to the white-ball contest.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently shared images from India’s first practice session, featuring senior players and young stars gearing up for the series.
The ODI leg holds special significance as stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma return to international action after stepping away from Test and T20I cricket, shifting their focus entirely to the 50-over format.
Kohli enters the series in impressive form. The former India captain recently featured in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, marking his return to domestic cricket after 15 years.
He made an immediate impact by scoring a superb 131 off 101 balls for Delhi against Andhra Pradesh, an innings that saw him become the second Indian batter after Sachin Tendulkar to surpass 16,000 List A runs.
Kohli also achieved the milestone faster than Tendulkar, reaching it in just 330 innings. He followed it up with a solid half-century against Gujarat, underlining his red-hot form.
Rohit Sharma also grabbed headlines during the Vijay Hazare Trophy with a sensational 155 off just 94 balls for Mumbai against Sikkim.
His knock, which included 18 fours and nine sixes, was his fastest List A century, brought up in only 62 balls. While Rohit endured a rare golden duck in his next outing, his explosive innings showcased his ability to dominate bowling attacks ahead of the ODI series.
All eyes will also be on India’s ODI captain Shubman Gill, who arrived in Vadodara to a warm reception from fans.
The 26-year-old will be making his first international appearance since missing out on India’s ICC T20 World Cup 2026 squad.
Gill had a disrupted start to his Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign due to food poisoning, but remains a key figure in India’s ODI plans. Notably, he boasts a strong record against New Zealand, having scored 623 runs in 12 matches, including two centuries.
India head into the series with confidence after clinching a 2-1 ODI series win over South Africa at home. They will aim to carry that momentum forward against the Kiwis.
After the opener in Vadodara, the teams will travel to Rajkot for the second ODI on January 14, followed by the third and final match in Indore on January 18.
Following the ODI series, New Zealand will stay on for a five-match T20I series beginning on January 21 in Nagpur, serving as key preparation ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026.
