Eden Park in Auckland was the setting on October 30 as two of India's most seasoned ODI campaigners, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, went through a sharp net session ahead of the five-match series against New Zealand that opens on November 4. India's cricket board shared footage from the session, accompanying it with a caption that read: "They're back."
The bilateral contest carries weight beyond the result. Every ODI India play now feeds directly into their preparation for the 2027 ODI World Cup, making squad selection and individual form closely watched. Both Rohit and Kohli are active only in the 50-over format at the international level, having stepped away from Tests and T20 Internationals, respectively.
They're back 😍😍#TeamIndia | @imVkohli | @ImRo45 pic.twitter.com/pmFz19G9DU
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 30, 2026
How has Virat Kohli been performing in ODIs heading into this series?
Kohli's most recent ODI assignment before landing in New Zealand was a three-match series against West Indies, where he put together 168 runs across three innings. The highlight came in the opening fixture, where he walked in with India chasing 296 and finished unbeaten on 139 from 88 deliveries, a knock that underlined his continued authority in run-chases.
That kind of output keeps him at the centre of India's ODI batting plans. On the all-time ODI run-scoring list, Kohli sits second with 15,109 runs, a tally built across 55 centuries. Both figures remain subject to editor verification before publication.
What does Rohit Sharma's 2026 ODI record look like ahead of the New Zealand series?
Meanwhile, Rohit has carried strong form through the calendar year. Across 12 ODI innings in 2026, he has put together 604 runs, averaging 50.33 and scoring at a strike rate of 104.67, with a highest score of 138 and two centuries alongside two half-centuries.
His numbers against West Indies in the preceding series were particularly striking. Over three matches, Rohit accumulated 225 runs at an average of 75.00 and a strike rate of 115, anchoring the innings with a best of 101 not out that included one century and one fifty. His overall ODI career tally stands at 12,120 runs from 35 centuries, though both figures are flagged for editor verification. With the 2027 ODI World Cup approaching, the New Zealand series gives both senior batters a timely platform to sharpen their 50-over game at the highest level.
