India out to ride the Ro-Ko wave to another series win

The Ro-Ko caravan has reached Rajkot, with a full house expected at the Niranjan Shah Stadium. Since last October, a marketing campaign focused on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli has helped reinvigorate ODI cricket, drawing packed stands and heightened interest.

Neither Rohit nor Kohli is showing signs of slowing down, with India leading 1-0 in the three-match series. Kohli has been in sublime form, while Rohit continues his aggressive approach at the top of the order.

Team composition remains a topic, particularly regarding preparations for next year’s ODI World Cup in South Africa. Benching all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy in the first ODI raised questions, especially with Washington Sundar injured. Reddy is expected to play in Rajkot, while Ayush Badoni, Sundar’s replacement, may wait for his debut.

When: Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 1:30 PM local time
Where: Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot

What to expect: New Zealand, led by Michael Bracewell, has shown it can compete, but India under Shubman Gill are favorites. Another high-scoring game is anticipated.

India probable XI: Shubman Gill (c), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.

New Zealand probable XI: Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Hay (wk), Michael Bracewell (c), Zakary Foulkes, Kristian Clarke, Kyle Jamieson, Adithya Ashok.

Key stats:

• Average first innings score at this venue: 322.
• New Zealand have never won an ODI bilateral series in India (0 wins in 7 attempts).
• New Zealand recently ended a nine-match ODI winning streak.
• India have lost only two home bilateral ODI series since 2016, both to Australia.

Quote: Henry Nicholls on ODIs: "There's not as much one-day cricket between major events… when you have those series now, they are more important than ever with limited amounts."