Can India Maintain Their Winning Streak Against New Zealand in the 1st ODI?
Synopsis
The anticipation builds as India gears up to clash with New Zealand in the first ODI at Kotambi International Stadium. Will Kohli and Sharma’s experience guide the team to victory against an inexperienced Kiwi squad? Tune in for a thrilling match that could shape the upcoming series!
Key Takeaways
India aims to extend their winning streak against New Zealand Kotambi International Stadium hosts its inaugural men’s ODI Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma return to lead the Indian side New Zealand fields an inexperienced squad Shubman Gill captains the ODI team for the first time
Vadodara, Jan 10 (NationPress) The spotlight is set to shine on legendary players and past captains Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma as India faces off against New Zealand in the inaugural ODI of a three-match series at the Kotambi International Stadium this coming Sunday. This match will mark the venue's first-ever men’s ODI encounter, signaling the return of men’s international cricket to this ground.
The last time men’s international cricket graced this venue was on December 4, 2010, when India clashed with New Zealand, with current head coach Gautam Gambhir impressing with a remarkable century.
After stepping away from T20 and Test formats, Kohli and Sharma will return to action following their recent series against South Africa, facing a BlackCaps team that has opted for a relatively inexperienced lineup but is eager to put up a fight.
This series could potentially be the last for Rohit and Kohli in Indian colors until July, making it significant as it is the final ODI series prior to the T20 World Cup and the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Shubman Gill is set to lead the ODI team for the first time since his exclusion from India’s T20 World Cup squad. He aims to secure his first series win as captain after missing the previous ODI series against South Africa and suffering a loss against Australia in October.
The New Zealand batting lineup will lean heavily on the capabilities of Devon Conway, who has amassed 527 ODI runs in India since 2023. Also, keep an eye on Daryl Mitchell, currently ranked World No. 3, who is in fantastic form in white-ball cricket.
In preparation for the match, both Kohli and Sharma engaged in rigorous practice sessions, spending around an hour and a half facing Indian pacers, spinners, and throwdown specialists after each having played twice in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
The duo has been impressive in international matches, with Kohli boasting an extraordinary average of 151 against South Africa and Rohit ranked as the No. 1 ODI batter with an impressive average of 52.9 against New Zealand since 2023.
Vice-captain Shreyas Iyer is making his return after a spleen injury sidelined him from international play, and he aims to continue his strong presence at No. 4.
The BlackCaps will face a stern test with their inexperienced pace attack going up against India’s formidable batting lineup. They will depend largely on Kyle Jamieson, the most seasoned pacer in their squad with 20 ODI caps.
New Zealand has been on a roll in ODIs, winning nine consecutive matches since their loss to India in the 2025 Champions Trophy final. However, India, entering the series as the favorites, has triumphed in their last seven ODIs against New Zealand and will be looking to extend that streak.
When: Sunday, Jan 11, 1:30 PM IST
Where: BCA Stadium, Kotambi, Vadodara
Where to watch: Star Sports Network for live television coverage and JioHotstar for live streaming.
Squads
India: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (c), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (w), Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Rishabh Pant, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ravindra Jadeja
New Zealand: Devon Conway (w), Will Young, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell (c), Zakary Foulkes, Nick Kelly, Josh Clarkson, Michael Rae, Kyle Jamieson, Mitchell Hay, Adithya Ashok, Kristian Clarke, Jayden Lennox
Point of View
I see this match as a pivotal moment for India. With a mix of seasoned players and new talent, it's an opportunity to solidify their strategy before the T20 World Cup. New Zealand's inexperienced squad provides an intriguing challenge, making it essential for India to assert their dominance early in this series.
NationPress
20 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the 1st ODI between India and New Zealand?
The match is scheduled for Sunday, Jan 11, at 1:30 PM IST.
Where will the match be held?
The match will take place at Kotambi International Stadium in Vadodara.
How can I watch the match live?
You can watch the live broadcast on Star Sports Network and stream it on JioHotstar.
Who are the key players to watch in this match?
Key players include Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for India, and Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell for New Zealand.
What historical significance does this match hold?
This match marks Kotambi International Stadium's first ever men’s ODI and the return of international cricket to this venue.
