India vs New Zealand 1st ODI 2026: Match Preview

Match Details

• Date: Sunday, 11 January 2026
• Time: 08:00 AM GMT / 01:30 PM IST
• Venue: BCA Stadium, Vadodara
• Series: New Zealand Tour of India, 2026 (1st of 3 ODIs)
• Live Streaming: Jio Hotstar
• Live Broadcast: Star Sports

Match Context

The New Zealand Tour of India 2026 kicks off with a high-stakes One Day International (ODI) between India and New Zealand at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara. The match marks the first professional men's cricket event at the newly constructed Kotambi Stadium, adding an element of novelty to the proceedings.

This three-match ODI series serves as a preparatory phase for both teams ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in February 2026. For India, it offers an opportunity to fine-tune their squad and strategy, while New Zealand will use it to test their emerging talents and build momentum.

Team Form and Strategy

India

India enters the series with the confidence of having won their last five ODIs against New Zealand. The team is expected to play a balanced mix of experienced and emerging players to prepare for the T20 World Cup and the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Key Players:

• Shubman Gill (Captain) will lead the charge with his aggressive yet calculated batting.
• Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli form a lethal opening duo, with Kohli averaging over 65 in 2025.
• The bowling attack features Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, and Kuldeep Yadav, who combined for over 60 wickets in 2025.
• Ravindra Jadeja is likely to play a pivotal all-round role, especially in the death overs.

New Zealand

New Zealand is in a transitional phase, with the T20 World Cup being their primary focus. The team will use this series to give game time to players like Daryl Mitchell, Devon Conway, and Michael Bracewell while also integrating younger talents.

Key Players:

• Devon Conway has been in excellent form in India, scoring 527 runs at an average of 43.91 in his last series.
• Daryl Mitchell is the team's mainstay in the middle order, having scored 761 runs in 2025 at an average of 54.35.
• The bowling attack will rely on Michael Bracewell, Zak Foulkes, and Kyle Jamieson.
• Will Young, a rising star, is expected to make his mark with the bat.

Head-to-Head Record

• Total Matches Played: 120
• India Wins: 62
• New Zealand Wins: 50
• No Result/Tie: 7+1

India holds a slight edge in the historical context, with five consecutive wins in the last five ODIs against New Zealand.

Pitch and Weather Conditions

• Pitch: The Kotambi Stadium pitch is expected to be a batting-friendly surface, offering assistance to both batters and spinners in the middle and death overs.
• Weather: No chance of rain, with temperatures expected to range between 16°C and 28°C. Conditions are favorable for a high-scoring encounter.

Probable Playing XI

India:

1. Shubman Gill (c)
2. Rohit Sharma
3. Virat Kohli
4. Shreyas Iyer
5. KL Rahul (wk)
6. Ravindra Jadeja
7. Nitish Kumar Reddy
8. Harshit Rana
9. Arshdeep Singh
10. Kuldeep Yadav
11. Mohammed Siraj

Note: Shreyas Iyer's inclusion is subject to fitness.

New Zealand:

1. Will Young
2. Devon Conway (wk)
3. Henry Nicholls
4. Daryl Mitchell
5. Josh Clarkson
6. Glenn Phillips
7. Michael Bracewell (c)
8. Zak Foulkes
9. Kyle Jamieson
10. Michael Rae
11. Adi Ashok

Players to Watch

India:

• Virat Kohli – The run machine with a knack for converting starts into big scores.
• Harshit Rana – The death-overs specialist with a strike rate of 1 in 28 balls.
• Arshdeep Singh – Provides early breakthroughs and is a potent option in the middle overs.
• Ravindra Jadeja – The all-rounder who can change the game with both bat and ball.

New Zealand:

• Daryl Mitchell – The backbone of the middle order with his consistency and technical soundness.
• Devon Conway – A proven performer in Indian conditions.
• Michael Bracewell – A versatile all-rounder who can contribute with both bat and ball.
• Zak Foulkes – A key bowler with the ability to deliver under pressure.

Match Prediction

With a batting-friendly pitch and a strong Indian lineup, India is expected to start as the firm favorite in this encounter. The home team's recent dominance in the head-to-head record and the presence of key performers like Virat Kohli and Harshit Rana give them an edge.

Predicted Scorecard:

• India (Batting First): 320-330
• New Zealand (Chasing): 280-290

Winning Prediction: India

Conclusion

The first ODI of the New Zealand tour in India promises to be an exciting encounter, with both teams eager to make a strong start. While India has the upper hand with their experience and current form, New Zealand's focus on development and emerging talent could bring some surprises. Fans can look forward to a thrilling contest of skill and strategy at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara.
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