Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will return to ODI action during India’s upcoming tour of New Zealand. Following the conclusion of India’s home ODI series against the West Indies, the two senior batters are set to feature in a five-match ODI series beginning in Auckland on November 4.
They have retired from Test and T20I cricket but remain part of India’s ODI plans. The series will also give the team five matches across four New Zealand venues, with the 2027 ODI World Cup in focus and both experienced batters looking to maintain their rhythm in the 50-over format.
Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli Next Match: India vs New Zealand ODI Series
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s next scheduled international assignment will be the five-match ODI series against New Zealand. The opening match will be played at Eden Park in Auckland on November 4, followed by the second ODI in Wellington on November 7.
India will then travel to Hamilton for the third ODI on November 10. The final two matches will be played at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on November 13 and 15.
The complete ODI schedule is:
1st ODI: November 4, Auckland
2nd ODI: November 7, Wellington
3rd ODI: November 10, Hamilton
4th ODI: November 13, Mount Maunganui
5th ODI: November 15, Mount Maunganui
The ODI series will be preceded by five T20Is between India and New Zealand from October 22 to November 1. Rohit and Virat will not feature in that series after retiring from T20I cricket.
Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma Enjoy Strong West Indies ODI Series
Virat Kohli will enter the New Zealand series after a strong run against the West Indies. He scored 168 runs in three innings at an average of 84.00 and a strike rate of 155.56.
Virat’s best performance came in the first ODI, where he smashed an unbeaten 139 off 88 balls. He also completed 15,000 ODI runs during the series, becoming the second batter after Sachin Tendulkar to reach the milestone.
Rohit Sharma was even more productive across the three matches, scoring 225 runs at an average of 112.50 and a strike rate of 116.58. He began the series with 32 off 35 balls before producing a century in the second ODI.
Rohit scored 101 off 75 balls in the second match and followed it with 92 off 83 balls in the third ODI at New Chandigarh. His 225 runs made him India’s leading run-scorer in the series and gave him strong momentum heading into the New Zealand assignment.
Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma’s ODI Records Against New Zealand
Virat Kohli has an impressive record against New Zealand, having scored 1,897 runs in 36 ODI innings at an average of 57.48 and a strike rate of 96.64. He has also scored 596 runs in 13 ODI innings in New Zealand at an average of 49.67 and a strike rate of 91.41.
Rohit Sharma has scored 1,134 runs in 32 ODI innings against New Zealand at an average of 36.58 and a strike rate of 85.26. In New Zealand, he has amassed 437 runs in 13 innings at an average of 36.42 and a strike rate of 72.95.
Virat and Rohit have considerable experience against New Zealand. The five-match series will provide another extended opportunity for the two batters to continue their ODI rhythm.
With India building towards the 2027 World Cup, Virat and Rohit’s form and fitness will remain important as the team continues to assess its ODI combinations.
