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Rohit and Kohli Return: India vs New Zealand 1st ODI Date, Time and Venue
The white-ball spotlight shifts from T20Is to the 50-over game, and it arrives with a bang. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are back in India colours as the first ODI against New Zealand gets underway at Eden Park, Auckland, on Wednesday, November 4, 2026.
India vs New Zealand 1st ODI: Date, Time and Venue
After a thrilling five-match T20I series, the focus moves to the longer white-ball format. India took an early lead with three back-to-back wins, but New Zealand hit back to win the last two games.
Now the ODI series begins, and all five matches start at the same time.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | New Zealand vs India, 1st ODI |
| Date | Wednesday, November 4, 2026 |
| Venue | Eden Park, Auckland |
| Start time (local) | 3:00 p.m. NZDT |
| Start time (India) | 7:30 a.m. IST |
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli Return to the Spotlight
This is the big storyline. Both stars have retired from T20Is and Tests, so the ODI format is now the only place fans can watch them in India colours.
Their last outing was the three-match home series against the West Indies, and both made an impact.
Form Guide Going Into the Series
| Player | Last series | Key numbers |
|---|---|---|
| Rohit Sharma | 3 ODIs vs West Indies | 225 runs |
| Virat Kohli | 3 ODIs vs West Indies | 139* (55th ODI hundred) |
Rohit piled up 225 runs across the series. Kohli signed off with an unbeaten 139, his 55th ODI ton.
That kind of form makes the opening game in Auckland a must-watch.
Captaincy and Squad Changes
India will not have a single captain through the series. Shubman Gill leads the side in the first three ODIs, and Shreyas Iyer then takes over for the last two.
Wicketkeeper Kumar Kushagra joins the group for the final two matches. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jasprit Bumrah are part of the Test squad only, so they are not in the ODI plans.
It is a mix of experience and fresh faces, and the leadership rotation adds another layer of intrigue.
A Rare Five-Match ODI Series
This is also a notable series in terms of length. Reports say it is India’s first five-match ODI series since the 2018/19 Australia tour of India, which the visitors won 3-2.
A longer series gives teams room to experiment, recover from a slow start and build momentum. A single bad session will not end the contest, but a strong start in Auckland could set the tone.
Series Venues and Where to Watch
After Eden Park, the teams travel to Wellington and Hamilton. The series then ends with two matches at Bay Oval in Tauranga.
Match Start Times Across Time Zones
Every ODI in the series begins at 3:00 p.m. NZDT. Here is how that converts for some major regions for the first match.
| Region | Start time |
|---|---|
| Auckland (NZDT) | 3:00 p.m., Nov 4 |
| India (IST) | 7:30 a.m., Nov 4 |
| Sri Lanka | 7:30 a.m., Nov 4 |
| Pakistan (PKT) | 7:00 a.m., Nov 4 |
| UAE (GST) | 6:00 a.m., Nov 4 |
| UK (GMT) | 2:00 a.m., Nov 4 |
| US Eastern (EST) | 9:00 p.m., Nov 3 |
| US Pacific (PST) | 6:00 p.m., Nov 3 |
Broadcast and streaming partners vary by country and were not detailed in the match announcement. Fans should check the official series broadcaster in their region before the first ball.
What to Expect in Auckland
New Zealand have momentum after winning the last two T20Is, while India bring back two of the biggest names in the format. That sets up a lively opening day.
Watch how Gill handles the early captaincy duties and how quickly Rohit and Kohli settle in. If the veterans fire, India will have a strong platform for the remaining four games.
For now, the countdown is on. Wednesday, November 4, 3:00 p.m. NZDT, Eden Park: the ODI chapter begins.
