India vs New Zealand 1st ODI Preview: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli Return; Devon Conway Out, Playing XI

India vs New Zealand 1st ODI: India will begin their five-match ODI series against New Zealand on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at Eden Park in Auckland. The opening match will see experienced Indian batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli return to ODI cricket, while New Zealand face an injury setback ahead of the series opener.

New Zealand opener Devon Conway has been ruled out of the first ODI after suffering a concussion during a training session. He collided with teammate Matt Henry while both players were attempting to take a catch. The incident has added to New Zealand’s selection concerns ahead of the match.

India enter the ODI series after winning the preceding T20I series 3-2. With both teams looking to build momentum and strengthen their combinations, the first match is expected to provide an interesting contest.

India vs New Zealand 1st ODI: Match Details

Match: India vs New Zealand, 1st ODI
Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2026
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand
Start time: 7:30 AM IST
India captain: Shubman Gill
New Zealand captain: Mitchell Santner
Series: India tour of New Zealand, 2026
Format: One Day International (ODI)

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli Return to ODI Cricket

The return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli is one of the biggest talking points ahead of the India vs New Zealand 1st ODI. Both experienced batters bring valuable international experience to India’s lineup.

Rohit Sharma will be expected to provide an attacking start at the top of the order. His ability to take on bowlers during the powerplay could help India establish early momentum.

Virat Kohli, meanwhile, will be an important figure in the middle order. His experience in building innings, rotating the strike and handling pressure could prove valuable against New Zealand’s bowling attack.

India will be led by Shubman Gill for the first three ODIs, with Shreyas Iyer named vice-captain for the opening matches. The series will also give India an opportunity to assess their combinations ahead of future international tournaments.

Devon Conway Ruled Out After Concussion

New Zealand have suffered a major setback before the opening ODI, with Devon Conway ruled out after a concussion sustained during training at Eden Park.

Conway collided with Matt Henry while the two players attempted to catch the ball during a fielding session on November 3. Both players received immediate medical attention and underwent head injury assessments. Further examination confirmed Conway’s concussion, ruling him out of the first ODI. New Zealand Cricket said both players would continue to be monitored, with updates on their participation in the remaining matches to follow.

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner confirmed that Tim Seifert would replace Conway for the opening match. The hosts will need to adjust their batting order as they prepare to face India’s bowling attack. The injury comes at a difficult time for New Zealand, who are also without Rachin Ravindra and Mark Chapman for the ODI series because of their respective injuries.

India vs New Zealand 1st ODI: Predicted Playing XI

The final playing XIs will be confirmed at the toss. The following are provisional predictions based on the announced squads, available players and reported team combinations.

India Predicted Playing XI

Rohit Sharma
Shubman Gill (captain)
Virat Kohli
Shreyas Iyer
KL Rahul (wicketkeeper)
Nitish Kumar Reddy
Axar Patel
Naman Dhir
Kuldeep Yadav
Mohammed Siraj
Arshdeep Singh

Players to watch: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill and Kuldeep Yadav.

Jasprit Bumrah has been rested for the ODI series, while Prasidh Krishna has been ruled out after failing to obtain fitness clearance. India will therefore look to their available fast bowlers and spin options to deliver a strong performance.

New Zealand Predicted Playing XI

Henry Nicholls
Will Young
Glenn Phillips
Daryl Mitchell
Tom Latham (wicketkeeper)
Michael Bracewell
Mitchell Santner (captain)
Nathan Smith
Kyle Jamieson
Matt Henry
Jacob Duffy

Players to watch: Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner and Tom Latham.

This is a provisional lineup, and Matt Henry’s availability remains subject to his fitness assessment following the training collision. New Zealand may make further changes before the toss.

India vs New Zealand 1st ODI Pitch Report: Eden Park, Auckland

Eden Park is known for its distinctive dimensions and can offer an interesting challenge for both batters and bowlers. The ground’s relatively short straight boundaries can reward well-timed attacking shots, while conditions and the quality of the pitch may influence how the game develops.

The new-ball bowlers could look to use any available movement early in the innings. Batters who settle in may be able to accelerate, particularly if the surface provides consistent bounce.

Spinners and slower bowlers could become important during the middle overs, depending on the pitch and weather conditions on match day.

The toss could influence the decision to bat or bowl first. However, the final strategy will depend on the actual surface, weather and team combinations. A verified match-day pitch report should be added once the ground assessment is available.

Key Players to Watch in IND vs NZ 1st ODI

1. Rohit Sharma – India

Rohit’s attacking approach at the top of the order could give India a strong start. His performance during the powerplay will be one of the main talking points of the match.

2. Virat Kohli – India

Kohli’s experience and ability to build partnerships make him a crucial player in India’s batting lineup. He will be expected to provide stability and help India control the middle overs.

3. Shubman Gill – India

As captain, Gill will have an important role in managing India’s batting order and bowling combinations. His own contribution with the bat could also influence the team’s performance.

4. Daryl Mitchell – New Zealand

Mitchell is an important middle-order option for New Zealand. His ability to build partnerships and accelerate when required could help the hosts manage India’s bowling attack.

5. Mitchell Santner – New Zealand

Santner will lead New Zealand in the opening ODI. His captaincy, spin bowling and lower-order batting could be important, particularly during the middle overs.

India vs New Zealand Head-to-Head: What to Expect

India and New Zealand have a competitive history in ODI cricket, with both sides capable of producing strong performances in different conditions.

New Zealand will have the advantage of playing at home, where familiarity with the conditions could help their players. India, meanwhile, will look to use their experienced batters and available bowling resources to challenge the hosts.

The first ODI could depend on how well India handle the new ball and whether New Zealand’s reshuffled batting lineup can build partnerships after Conway’s absence.

India vs New Zealand ODI Series Schedule 2026

The five-match ODI series is scheduled to take place at the following venues:

Match	Date	Venue
1st ODI	November 4, 2026	Auckland
2nd ODI	November 7, 2026	Wellington
3rd ODI	November 10, 2026	Hamilton
4th ODI	November 13, 2026	Mount Maunganui
5th ODI	November 15, 2026	Mount Maunganui

The first three matches will be led by Shubman Gill, while Shreyas Iyer is scheduled to captain India for the final two ODIs.

Where to Watch India vs New Zealand 1st ODI

In India, the ODI series is scheduled to be televised on the Sony Sports Network, with live streaming available through SonyLIV. Viewers should check the broadcaster’s latest listings for confirmation of the channel and streaming arrangements before the match.

India vs New Zealand 1st ODI: Final Match Preview and Expectations

The India vs New Zealand 1st ODI promises an exciting start to the five-match series. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s return will attract significant attention, while Devon Conway’s concussion and New Zealand’s other injury concerns have created additional selection challenges for the hosts.

India will look to carry their T20I series-winning momentum into the 50-over format. New Zealand, playing at home under Mitchell Santner, will aim to make the most of familiar conditions and their available squad.

The confirmed playing XIs, toss result and match-day pitch report will provide a clearer picture of the contest. Follow NewsLeakCenter.com for the latest cricket news, team updates and match highlights.

#INDvsNZ #IndiaVsNewZealand #1stODI #RohitSharma #ViratKohli #DevonConway #TeamIndia #NewZealandCricket #PlayingXI #PitchReport #CricketNews #ODI2026 #MatchPreview #BreakingNews

Post Views: 13