India’s probable playing 11 for 1st ODI vs New Zealand: Team India are set to take on New Zealand in a three-match One Day International (ODI) series starting December 11 (Sunday). The series marks the senior men’s cricket team’s first assignment of 2026. While the focus will firmly be on the T20Is ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026, the fact that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are playing only the 50-overs format has created a lot of buzz.
India’s openers for 1st ODI vs New Zealand: Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill
Rohit Sharma has been in sensational form. During his break from international cricket, the “Hitman” played two Vijay Hazare Trophy matches and scored a top-notch hundred in one of them. He is expected to open the batting along with Shubman Gill who returns as the captain of the One-day side.
Gill did not feature in the last ODI series due to an injury concern and KL Rahul had stepped in his place to lead the team but the 26-year-old featured for Punjab in a Vijay Hazare Trophy and looked fit to continue.
Virat Kohli set to bat at number 3 in 1st ODI vs New Zealand
It’s a no-brainer at this point in time. Virat Kohli in current form will walk at number 3. He turned up for Delhi in Vijay Hazare Trophy and scored a 100 in the first game, backed it up with another half-century in the second ODI.
Will it be Shreyas Iyer at number 4?
Shreyas Iyer is likely to bat at number 4 in India’s 1st ODI against New Zealand. The series opener in Vadodara is set to be his first international outing since his near-fatal spleen injury. He returns as the vice-captain of the side.
KL Rahul expected to keep wickets
KL Rahul could well be India’s preferred keeper-batter. In the last ODI against South Africa, Rahul had also stepped in as the captain when both Gill and Iyer were unavailable, affirming the management’s faith in him.
All-rounders: Jadeja and Nitish Reddy
Fans will probably see the trio of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja playing together in Indian colours in the first ODI. Jadeja is an invaluable asset in this format and can change the complexion of the game with his skillset in all the three departments. There is no Hardik Pandya who has been rested for the ODI series. In his absence, Nitish Reddy could be picked as the seam-bowling all-rounder.
Bowlers: Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Siraj
Harshit Rana has picked up wickets even though he has been guilty of leaking a few runs too many on quite a few occasions in the past. However, he is still likely to get a game in the series opener. Kuldeep Yadav will be India’s strike spin bowler, adding another left-arm spin bowling option to their attack. Mohammed Siraj makes a comeback to India’s 50-overs setup and is expected to shoulder the new ball bowling responsibilities with Jasprit Bumrah rested for the ODI leg of the series.