Team India is set to kick off its 2026 cricket calendar on Sunday, January 11, with the first of a three-match One-Day International (ODI) series against New Zealand. The opening encounter will be held at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara, marking a historic moment as the venue hosts its first-ever men’s international match.
Stars Return to the Spotlight
The series marks the high-profile return of veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who are currently focusing exclusively on the 50-over format. Their inclusion has triggered a frenzy among fans, with tickets for the Vadodara clash selling out within hours. Both stalwarts showed fine form during a rigorous three-hour training session on Friday, following their recent stints in the Vijay Hazare Trophy where Kohli notably struck 77 and 131.
Shubman Gill returns as captain of the ODI side after recovering from a toe injury that sidelined him in late 2025. This series is particularly significant for Gill, as it is his first international appearance since his high-profile omission from India’s squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026.
Squad Dynamics and Workload Management
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has continued its strict policy on workload management. Spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and star all-rounder Hardik Pandya have been rested. Reports indicate that Pandya is not yet cleared by the BCCI Centre of Excellence (COE) to bowl a full 10-over quota in ODIs, with his focus remaining on the T20 World Cup.
Key Highlights from Practice:
- Absentees: Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, and Mohammed Siraj missed Friday’s nets as they had featured in domestic matches just a day prior.
- Returning Talents: Mohammed Siraj is back to lead the pace attack, supported by young prospects Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh.
- Young Guns: Yashasvi Jaiswal, following a maiden ODI century in his previous series, remains a player to watch, though he may have to battle for an opening spot with the returning Gill.
Revamped Black Caps Challenge
New Zealand, led by Michael Bracewell, enters the series with a heavily rotated squad. While regulars like Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, and Daryl Mitchell are present, the team is missing icons like Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra due to injury management. The Kiwis are using this tour as a critical build-up for the T20 World Cup, with the ODI series followed by a five-match T20I leg.
Match Details: Where to Watch
- Match: India vs New Zealand, 1st ODI
- Venue: Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara
- Time: 1:30 PM IST (Toss at 1:00 PM IST)
- TV Broadcast: Star Sports Network
- Live Streaming: JioHotstar app and website
Full Squads
India: Shubman Gill (C), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (WK), Shreyas Iyer (VC), Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohd Siraj, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Rishabh Pant (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal.
New Zealand: Michael Bracewell (C), Adi Ashok, Kristian Clarke, Josh Clarkson, Devon Conway (WK), Zak Foulkes, Mitch Hay, Kyle Jamieson, Nick Kelly, Jayden Lennox, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Michael Rae, Will Young.