India begin a five-match ODI series against New Zealand on Wednesday, 4 November 2026, and the tour has been framed as the team’s last major overseas 50-over test before next year’s World Cup in South Africa. With one day of joint preparation, captain Shubman Gill and KL Rahul batted in the nets in Auckland on Monday, according to the Telegraph, while Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were absent from the session.
Nets Day in Auckland
Kohli did turn up at the ground later in the day for a gym session, according to the Telegraph. The paper said several members of the T20I squad and support staff had travelled from Hamilton to Auckland that day. Outlook India reported that Kohli, Gill, Rohit and Rahul had all landed in Auckland, with Kohli drawing a crowd of fans at the airport.
India go into the ODI leg with the series-opening T20I contest already behind them. Outlook India says India enter the ODIs with a series win already in the bag, which refers to the T20I leg.
Series Details
The key facts, according to Outlook India and ANI:
- Format: five ODIs, followed by a two-Test series
- First ODI: Wednesday, 4 November, at Eden Park, Auckland, at 7:30 AM IST, with the toss at 7:00 AM IST
- Second ODI: Saturday, 7 November, in Wellington
- Final ODI: 15 November, in Mount Maunganui
- Tests: begin in Wellington on 19 November
- Telecast: Sony Sports Network, with streaming on Sony LIV
- New Zealand captain: Mitchell Santner
India’s Squad and Leadership
The BCCI named Gill captain for the first three ODIs, with Shreyas Iyer taking over for the last two while Gill prepares for the Tests, according to ANI and ETV Bharat. Iyer is vice-captain in the early matches and Ishan Kishan becomes his deputy for the final two.
The batting group includes Rohit, Kohli, Gill, Iyer, Rahul, Kishan and Ruturaj Gaikwad. Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja were left out of the ODI squad. The pace attack features Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj, with Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel as spin options.
The selectors added pacer Auqib Nabi on 31 October to replace the injured Prasidh Krishna for the first three matches, ANI reported.
Why These ODIs Carry Extra Weight
The Telegraph argues that the series offers a rare chance to test batters on seaming, bouncing pitches similar to those in South Africa, England and Australia. It says the team management will watch how batters adjust to these conditions in the 50-over format.
Rohit and Kohli have retired from Tests and T20Is and play only ODIs for India, according to The Statesman. New Zealand has been a good hunting ground for Kohli, who has 1,897 ODI runs against the Black Caps at an average of 57.48, according to Outlook India.
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The Backup Question
The Telegraph says Rohit’s opening spot looks safe, and that Yashasvi Jaiswal has no place in the plans for now. Jaiswal last played an ODI in June, when he scored an unbeaten 110 against Afghanistan in Chennai, according to the reference. He is not named in the first-three-ODI squads I found.
The paper’s analysis asks who would step in if a top-order batter were injured before the World Cup. It nominates Kishan, who can open or bat lower down and provides a reserve wicketkeeper. His elevation to deputy captain for the last two ODIs, the paper says, suggests a definite plan. It argues strong showings in the fourth and fifth ODIs could secure him a place as the 12th member of the South Africa-bound squad.
The Telegraph also says coach Gautam Gambhir has always wanted backups for every role, and that Kishan’s flexibility helped him make the 2023 World Cup squad. These are the newspaper’s views, not official selection statements.
Why It Matters
The tour gives selectors few chances to see their World Cup group in similar conditions. Any injury, form slump or fitness issue now would leave limited time to fix it. For fans, the series also marks the return of Rohit and Kohli to overseas ODI cricket, which is expected to draw large audiences.
What to Watch Next
The first ODI starts at 7:30 AM IST on Wednesday. Watch the opening partnership, the middle-order balance and how the pace attack handles New Zealand’s conditions. Whether Kishan gets a game before Iyer takes over as captain is another point to follow. Confirmed playing elevens will come at the toss.
FAQs
When is the first India vs New Zealand ODI?
Wednesday, 4 November 2026, at Eden Park, Auckland, at 7:30 AM IST.
How many ODIs are in the series?
Five, ending on 15 November in Mount Maunganui.
Who captains India?
Shubman Gill leads in the first three ODIs, and Shreyas Iyer leads in the last two.
Are Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli playing?
Yes, both are in the ODI squad.
Where can I watch it in India?
On Sony Sports Network channels and Sony LIV.
Who replaced Prasidh Krishna?
Auqib Nabi, for the first three ODIs.
