Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will return to action for India on Wednesday (November 4), as the team begins its five-match ODI series against New Zealand. The two former India captains last featured in a competitive match on October 3 in New Chandigarh against the West Indies. While Rohit scored 92 as an opener, Kohli endured a disappointing outing, falling for a golden duck to Jayden Seales.
Both batters will be keen to make a strong start to the series, with expectations high as India take on the Black Caps in challenging away conditions.
India have traditionally found it difficult to win ODI series in New Zealand, and the experience and form of Rohit and Kohli could prove crucial if the visitors are to end their wait for a series victory in the country. Their individual records in New Zealand, however, tell two different stories.
Virat Kohli’s ODI record in New Zealand
Kohli has played 13 ODIs in New Zealand, including 11 against the hosts and one each against Ireland and Zimbabwe. He has scored 596 runs in 13 innings, with a century and four half-centuries.
The right-handed batter made an immediate impact on his first ODI tour of New Zealand in 2014, scoring a century in Napier. He also registered scores of 78 and 82 during that series.
Kohli’s last ODI series in New Zealand came in 2020, when he was the only Indian batter to register a half-century. He scored 51 in Hamilton, followed by 15 in Auckland and nine in Mount Maunganui.
Virat Kohli’s ODI batting record in New Zealand (innings by innings)
| Opposition | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike rate | Position | Venue | Date |
| New Zealand | 123 | 111 | 11 | 2 | 110.81 | 3 | Napier | Jan 19, 2014 |
| New Zealand | 78 | 65 | 7 | 2 | 120.00 | 3 | Hamilton | Jan 22, 2014 |
| New Zealand | 6 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 30.00 | 3 | Auckland | Jan 25, 2014 |
| New Zealand | 2 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 20.00 | 2 | Hamilton | Jan 28, 2014 |
| New Zealand | 82 | 78 | 7 | 3 | 105.12 | 3 | Wellington | Jan 31, 2014 |
| Ireland | 44* | 42 | 4 | 1 | 104.76 | 3 | Hamilton | Mar 10, 2015 |
| Zimbabwe | 38 | 48 | 4 | 0 | 79.16 | 3 | Auckland | Mar 14, 2015 |
| New Zealand | 45 | 59 | 3 | 0 | 76.27 | 3 | Napier | Jan 23, 2019 |
| New Zealand | 43 | 45 | 5 | 0 | 95.55 | 3 | Mount Maunganui | Jan 26, 2019 |
| New Zealand | 60 | 74 | 6 | 1 | 81.08 | 3 | Mount Maunganui | Jan 28, 2019 |
| New Zealand | 51 | 63 | 6 | 0 | 80.95 | 3 | Hamilton | Feb 5, 2020 |
| New Zealand | 15 | 25 | 1 | 0 | 60.00 | 3 |
