Cricbet99 Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the NZ ODIs: The Senior Pair's Role

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are in both India ODI squads, for New Zealand, in November 2026, for all five ODIs, on 4, 7, 10, 13 and 15 November, in Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton and Mount Maunganui, at 7:30 AM IST, with the toss at 7:00 AM IST.

They are the only two senior batters, in the squad, who are in, for all five ODIs, with Gill, Rahul, Kamboj and Nitish, only for the first three ODIs, and with Tilak, Kushagra and Yash Thakur, only for the last two ODIs, and with Iyer, Axar, Dhir, Kuldeep, Arshdeep, Siraj, Gaikwad, Gurnoor and Nabi, in, for all five ODIs, as well, but with Rohit and Kohli, as the senior pair, in the top order, in ODIs, in New Zealand, in November 2026.

Their role is not just to score runs, in New Zealand, in November 2026. Their role is to set the platform, for Gill, Kohli, Iyer and Rahul, in the top five, in ODIs, in New Zealand, in November 2026, to mentor, the younger players, in the squad, in ODIs, in New Zealand, in November 2026, and to prepare, for the 2027 ODI World Cup, in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, from 2 October to 21 November 2027, with India, as a former champion, in 2011, and as a finalist, in 2023, in India, in October and November 2023, in the ODI World Cup, in India, in 2023.

The split: both in, for all five ODIs

India's ODI squad, for New Zealand, November 2026, announced 16 October 2026:

• First three ODIs, 16 players: Shubman Gill, captain, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, vice-captain, KL Rahul, wicketkeeper, Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Anshul Kamboj, Gurnoor Brar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Ishan Kishan, wicketkeeper, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, only for the first ODI, and Auqib Nabi.
• Last two ODIs, 15 players: Shreyas Iyer, captain, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan, vice-captain and wicketkeeper, Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Kumar Kushagra, wicketkeeper, Mohammed Siraj, Yash Thakur and Kuldeep Yadav.

19 distinct players, across both squads. Rohit and Kohli are in, for all five ODIs, with Gill, captaining, the first three ODIs, on 4, 7 and 10 November, with Iyer, as vice-captain, and with Iyer, captaining, the last two ODIs, on 13 and 15 November, at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, with Kishan, as vice-captain, and with Gill, not in the squad, for the last two ODIs, because Gill is preparing, for the Tests, on 19 to 23 November, at Basin Reserve, Wellington, and on 27 November to 1 December, at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, both 3:30 AM IST daily, toss 3:00 AM IST daily, 11:00 AM local daily, in the World Test Championship, with India fifth, at 51.52%, and New Zealand second, at 72.22%, as of October 2026.

ODI schedule, all 7:30 AM IST, toss 7:00 AM IST, 3:00 PM local:

• 1st ODI, Wednesday, 4 November, Eden Park, Auckland
• 2nd ODI, Saturday, 7 November, Sky Stadium / HNRY Stadium, Wellington
• 3rd ODI, Tuesday, 10 November, Seddon Park, Hamilton
• 4th ODI, Friday, 13 November, Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
• 5th ODI, Sunday, 15 November, Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui

Rohit and Kohli are the only two players, in the squad, who have played, in ODIs, for India, for more than 10 years, with Rohit, making his ODI debut, in 2007, in Belfast, against Ireland, on 23 June 2007, and with Kohli, making his ODI debut, in 2008, in Dambulla, against Sri Lanka, on 18 August 2008, and with both, playing, in the 2011 ODI World Cup, in India, in 2011, with India winning, the World Cup, in 2011, in Mumbai, on 2 April 2011, with Kohli, making 35, in the final, against Sri Lanka, in Mumbai, on 2 April 2011, and with Rohit, not in the squad, for the 2011 ODI World Cup, in India, in 2011.

Rohit Sharma: the opener, and the former captain

Rohit opens, with Gill, in ODIs, in New Zealand, in November 2026, in the first three ODIs, on 4, 7 and 10 November, in Auckland, Wellington and Hamilton, with a left-right combination, in the powerplay, overs 1 to 10, in an ODI, with only two fielders, outside the 30-yard circle, in the powerplay, in an ODI, and with a platform, for Kohli, at No.3, Iyer, at No.4, and Rahul, at No.5, in the middle overs, overs 11 to 40, in an ODI, with only four fielders, outside the circle, in the middle overs, in an ODI.

Rohit is a former ODI captain, for India, from 2017 to 2025, with 42 wins, in 56 ODIs, as captain, from 2017 to 2025, with 12 losses, and 1 no result, in 56 ODIs, as captain, from 2017 to 2025, and with a win, in the ICC Champions Trophy, in 2025, in Dubai, in March 2025, in the final, against New Zealand, on 9 March 2025, with India winning, by four wickets, chasing 252, with Rohit making 76, in the final, against New Zealand, in Dubai, in March 2025, and with a final, in the 2023 ODI World Cup, in India, in October and November 2023, in the final, against Australia, in Ahmedabad, on 19 November 2023, with India losing, by six wickets, chasing 241, with Rohit making 47, in the final, against Australia, in Ahmedabad, on 19 November 2023.

Rohit handed, the ODI captaincy, to Gill, in October 2025, ahead of a three-match series, in Australia, in October 2025, with the explicit goal, of letting Gill settle, into the role, well before the 2027 ODI World Cup, in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, from 2 October to 21 November 2027, and with Rohit, winning, Player of the Series, in Australia, in October 2025, in the ODI series, against Australia, in October 2025, with India losing, 1-2, to Australia, in October 2025, in the ODI series, against Australia, in October 2025, with Rohit, making runs, in the final two matches, in Australia, in October 2025, after Gill, made 43 runs, in three innings, in Australia, in October 2025, as captain, in his first series, as ODI captain, in Australia, in October 2025.

Rohit made 112 not out, off 92 balls, in Rajkot, on 14 January 2026, in the second ODI, against New Zealand, in India, in January 2026, in the ODI series, against New Zealand, in India, in January 2026, which New Zealand won, 2-1, in India, in January 2026, with India winning, in Vadodara, and New Zealand winning, in Rajkot, and Indore, with Rohit making 112 not out, off 92, in Rajkot, on 14 January 2026, after India were 115/3, with Kohli making 23, in Rajkot, on 14 January 2026, and with Rahul making 52 off 53, then 60 off 39, in Rajkot, on 14 January 2026, in the second ODI, against New Zealand, in India, in January 2026.

Rohit's role, in New Zealand, in November 2026, is to open, with Gill, in the first three ODIs, and with Gaikwad, or with Tilak, or with a new opener, in the last two ODIs, on 13 and 15 November, at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, with Gill, not in the squad, for the last two ODIs, because Gill is preparing, for the Tests, on 19 November, at Basin Reserve, Wellington, and with Rohit, opening, with a new partner, in the last two ODIs, on 13 and 15 November, at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, with a left-right combination, in the powerplay, overs 1 to 10, in an ODI, at Bay Oval, with a first-innings average, of 268.1, in ODIs, at Bay Oval, and with a highest total, of 371/7, New Zealand vs Sri Lanka, on 3 January 2019, at Bay Oval, and with a highest chase, of 300/5, New Zealand vs India, on 11 February 2020, at Bay Oval, with Rahul making 112 off 113, as the best ODI score, by an Indian batter, at Bay Oval.

Virat Kohli: the No. 3, and the chase master

Kohli bats, at No.3, in ODIs, in New Zealand, in November 2026, in all five ODIs, on 4, 7, 10, 13 and 15 November, in Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton and Mount Maunganui, with a role, that is different, from Rohit's role, as opener, in ODIs, in New Zealand, in November 2026, with Kohli, coming in, at No.3, after one wicket, in the powerplay, overs 1 to 10, in an ODI, or after the powerplay, overs 11 to 40, in an ODI, with a platform, for Iyer, at No.4, and Rahul, at No.5, in the middle overs, overs 11 to 40, in an ODI, with only four fielders, outside the circle, in the middle overs, in an ODI.

Kohli is a former ODI captain, for India, from 2017 to 2021, with a win, in the 2018 ODI series, in South Africa, in January and February 2018, by 5-1, in South Africa, in January and February 2018, and with a win, in the 2019 ODI World Cup, in England, in 2019, in the semi-final, against New Zealand, in Manchester, on 9 July 2019, with India losing, by 18 runs, in the semi-final, against New Zealand, in Manchester, on 9 July 2019, with Kohli making 1, in the semi-final, against New Zealand, in Manchester, on 9 July 2019.

Kohli has retired, from Tests, and T20Is, while continuing, in ODIs, with a retirement, from Tests, in May 2025, in India, in May 2025, and with a retirement, from T20Is, in June 2024, in Barbados, in June 2024, after winning, the T20 World Cup, in 2024, in Barbados, on 29 June 2024, with India winning, by seven runs, against South Africa, in Barbados, on 29 June 2024, with Kohli making 76, in the final, against South Africa, in Barbados, on 29 June 2024, and with Kohli, as Player of the Match, in the final, against South Africa, in Barbados, on 29 June 2024.

Kohli was RCB's top scorer, in IPL 2026, with 675 runs, in 16 matches, at a strike rate, of 165.84, his best single-season strike rate, and a fourth consecutive 600-plus season, in IPL 2026, including 75 not out, in the final, against Gujarat Titans, in Ahmedabad, on 31 May 2026, with RCB winning, by five wickets, chasing 161, with GT making 155/8, in Ahmedabad, on 31 May 2026, and with Kohli, as Player of the Match, in the final, against GT, in Ahmedabad, on 31 May 2026, with 75 off 42, in the final, against GT, in Ahmedabad, on 31 May 2026.

Kohli's role, in New Zealand, in November 2026, is to anchor, the innings, at No.3, in ODIs, in New Zealand, in November 2026, with a strike rate, that is higher, in ODIs, in 2026, than in Tests, in 2024, and with a role, that is different, from his role, in Tests, in 2024, and in T20Is, in 2024, with a role, in ODIs, in 2026, that is to bat, through the middle overs, overs 11 to 40, in an ODI, with only four fielders, outside the circle, in the middle overs, in an ODI, and to finish, in the death overs, overs 41 to 50, in an ODI, with only five fielders, outside the circle, in the death overs, in an ODI, in New Zealand, in November 2026.

The senior pair, together: what they do, for the team

1. They set the platform, for the middle order. Rohit and Kohli, at the top, in ODIs, in New Zealand, in November 2026, with Gill, at No.1, or No.2, and with Kohli, at No.3, and with Iyer, at No.4, and with Rahul, at No.5, in the middle overs, overs 11 to 40, in an ODI, with a platform, for the middle order, in ODIs, in New Zealand, in November 2026, with Iyer, at No.4, making 1,893 runs, in 43 matches, at an average, of 51.16, in ODIs, in October 2026, and with Rahul, at No.5, making 1,477 runs, in 33 innings, at an average, of 64.21, in ODIs, in January 2026, and with Rahul, at No.6, making 332 runs, in 12 innings, at an average, of 47.42, in ODIs, in January 2026, and with Rahul, since 2025, making 508 runs, in 16 matches, at an average, of 72.57, in ODIs, in 2025 and 2026, in ODIs, since 2025, in ODIs, in 2025 and 2026.

2. They mentor, the younger players, in the squad. Rohit and Kohli, as senior players, in the squad, in ODIs, in New Zealand, in November 2026, with Gill, as captain, in the first three ODIs, and with Iyer, as captain, in the last two ODIs, and with Tilak, as a new player, in the last two ODIs, on 13 and 15 November, at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, and with Kushagra, as a maiden call-up, for the last two ODIs, on 13 and 15 November, at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, and with Yash Thakur, as a new player, in the last two ODIs, on 13 and 15 November, at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, and with Dhir, Gaikwad, Gurnoor, Kamboj, Nabi and Siraj, as younger players, in the squad, in ODIs, in New Zealand, in November 2026.

3. They prepare, for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Rohit and Kohli, as senior players, in the squad, in ODIs, in New Zealand, in November 2026, with a goal, to win, the 2027 ODI World Cup, in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, from 2 October to 21 November 2027, with 14 teams, and with India, as a former champion, in 2011, and as a finalist, in 2023, in India, in October and November 2023, in the ODI World Cup, in India, in 2023, and with New Zealand, as a finalist, in 2015 and 2019, and as a semi-finalist, in 2023, in India, in October and November 2023, in the ODI World Cup, in India, in 2023.

For fans following Rohit and Kohli, as the senior pair, in the NZ ODIs, and the scores, squads and form, in the ODI series, the updates are often checked in one place during a tour. Cricbet99 is one of the platforms fans use to follow those updates, scores and player form. Cricbet99 is a gaming and betting-related platform, not an official broadcaster, and any betting-related features are for adults only, where legally permitted. Use responsibly and check local rules, as betting law in India varies by state.

What to watch, for Rohit and Kohli, in New Zealand

Rohit, in the powerplay, at Eden Park, on 4 November: Eden Park, Auckland, with a first-innings average, of 222.6, in ODIs, at Eden Park, rising to 257.7 since 2015, and to 285.8 in the four ODIs, since 2019, at Eden Park, with chasing teams, leading 43-32, all-time, at Eden Park, yet the last four decided ODIs, went 3-1, to the side, batting first, at Eden Park, with India, having won 4, and lost 6, ODIs, at Eden Park, with 1 tie, and with all 4 wins, coming, chasing, at Eden Park, and with the 3 times, they batted first, they lost, most recently, when 306/7, in November 2022, was overhauled, by Tom Latham's unbeaten 145, at Eden Park, in November 2022.

Kohli, at No.3, in Wellington, on 7 November: Sky Stadium / HNRY Stadium, Wellington, with a T20I first-innings average, of 165.4, in T20Is, at HNRY Stadium, Wellington, and with a chasing win, in 11 of 18, in T20Is, at HNRY Stadium, Wellington, and with a wind, and a drop-in pitch, key, in Wellington, in November 2026, with a pitch, that is seaming, in the morning, at 3:00 PM local, 7:30 AM IST, in Wellington, in November 2026.

Rohit and Kohli, together, at Bay Oval, on 13 and 15 November: Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, with a first-innings average, of 268.1, in ODIs, at Bay Oval, and with a highest total, of 371/7, New Zealand vs Sri Lanka, on 3 January 2019, at Bay Oval, and with a highest chase, of 300/5, New Zealand vs India, on 11 February 2020, at Bay Oval, with Rahul making 112 off 113, as the best ODI score, by an Indian batter, at Bay Oval, and with India, having won 4, in 5 internationals, at Bay Oval, in Mount Maunganui, in Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, in New Zealand, in November 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Are Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the NZ ODI squads?

Yes, both are in both ODI squads for all five ODIs, on 4, 7, 10, 13 and 15 November 2026, in New Zealand, announced 16 October 2026.

Who does Rohit open with in the NZ ODIs?

Shubman Gill, in the first three ODIs, on 4, 7 and 10 November, in Auckland, Wellington and Hamilton, with Gill as captain and Iyer as vice-captain. In the last two ODIs, on 13 and 15 November, at Bay Oval, Gill is not in the squad, as he prepares for the Tests.

Where does Kohli bat in the NZ ODIs?

At No. 3, in all five ODIs, on 4, 7, 10, 13 and 15 November, in Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton and Mount Maunganui, with Iyer at No. 4 and Rahul at No. 5 in the predicted first XI for Eden Park on 4 November.

What is Rohit's recent ODI form against New Zealand?

112 not out off 92 in Rajkot on 14 January 2026, after India were 115/3, with Kohli making 23, in the second ODI against New Zealand in India in January 2026, which New Zealand won 2-1 in India in January 2026.

What is Kohli's IPL 2026 form?

RCB's top scorer in IPL 2026 with 675 runs in 16 matches at a strike rate of 165.84, his best single-season strike rate and a fourth consecutive 600-plus season, including 75 not out in the final against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on 31 May 2026.

Are Rohit and Kohli preparing for the 2027 ODI World Cup?

Yes, the ODI series in New Zealand in November 2026 is part of the preparation for the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, from 2 October to 21 November 2027, with 14 teams.

The verdict

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, in the NZ ODIs, in November 2026, are the senior pair, for India, in ODIs, in New Zealand, in November 2026, with Rohit, opening, with Gill, in the first three ODIs, on 4, 7 and 10 November, in Auckland, Wellington and Hamilton, and with Kohli, batting, at No.3, in all five ODIs, on 4, 7, 10, 13 and 15 November, in Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton and Mount Maunganui, all 7:30 AM IST, toss 7:00 AM IST.

Their role is to set the platform, for the middle order, with Iyer, at No.4, making 1,893 runs, at 51.16, in ODIs, and with Rahul, at No.5, making 1,477 runs, at 64.21, in ODIs, and to mentor, the younger players, in the squad, with Tilak, Kushagra and Yash Thakur, joining, for the last two ODIs, on 13 and 15 November, at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, and to prepare, for the 2027 ODI World Cup, in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, from 2 October to 21 November 2027, with 14 teams, and with India, as a former champion, in 2011, and as a finalist, in 2023, in India, in October and November 2023.

If Rohit and Kohli, score runs, in New Zealand, in November 2026, with Rohit, making 112 not out, off 92, in Rajkot, on 14 January 2026, as a template, for a big score, in New Zealand, in November 2026, and with Kohli, making 75 not out, in the IPL final, in Ahmedabad, on 31 May 2026, as a template, for a big score, in New Zealand, in November 2026, India will win, the ODI series, in New Zealand, in November 2026, for the first time, since January 2019, when India won, by seven wickets, on 28 January 2019, at Bay Oval, with 245/3 chasing 243, sealing India's first bilateral ODI series win, in New Zealand, for ten years.

Source list: Rohit and Kohli in both ODI squads, all five ODIs 4, 7, 10, 13, 15 Nov 2026, announced 16 Oct 2026. Gill captains first three, Iyer vice-captain, Iyer captains last two, Kishan vice-captain. ODI schedule all 7:30 AM IST, toss 7:00 AM IST. Rohit ODI captain 2017-2025, 42 wins in 56 ODIs, Champions Trophy 2025 win Dubai, 76 in final vs NZ 9 Mar 2025, Player of Series Australia Oct 2025, 112* off 92 Rajkot 14 Jan 2026. Kohli retired Tests May 2025, T20Is Jun 2024 after T20 World Cup win Barbados, RCB top scorer IPL 2026 675 runs in 16 matches SR 165.84, 75* final vs GT Ahmedabad 31 May 2026. Iyer No.4 1,893 runs at 51.16, Rahul No.5 1,477 runs at 64.21, No.6 332 runs at 47.42. ODI head-to-head 123 matches, India 63, NZ 52, 1 tied, 7 NR, NZ won last ODI series 2-1 India Jan 2026.