Kohli-Rohit return, Gill to lead – Here’s India’s probable playing 11 for 1st ODI vs New Zealand
India’s Probable Playing 11: The Indian cricket calendar for 2026 begins with a blockbuster ODI series as New Zealand arrive for a three-match contest. The opening game will be played at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara on Sunday, January 11, marking India’s return to the 50-over format after a brief hiatus.
With Shubman Gill set to lead the side once again following recovery from a neck injury, and senior stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli making their comeback, team combination discussions have dominated the build-up. Below is a look at India’s most probable Playing XI for the series opener.
Experienced Stars Back at the Top
India’s top order looks firmly locked in. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill are expected to resume their opening duties, a pairing that has delivered consistently in recent years. Both batters arrive in excellent touch, having notched centuries in the recently concluded Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Rohit, in particular, grabbed headlines with a brilliant 155 in domestic cricket, while Gill, who missed the South Africa tour, will be keen to make an immediate impact as captain.
Meanwhile, Virat Kohli returns after scoring back-to-back domestic hundreds and stands just 94 runs short of surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s record for most ODI runs against New Zealand, adding another layer of intrigue to the contest.
Middle Order: Balance Meets Firepower
A major positive for India is the availability of Shreyas Iyer, who is set to return after recovering from a spleen injury. The vice-captain is likely to reclaim his usual No. 4 position, where his ability to control the middle overs remains vital to India’s ODI strategy.
While Rishabh Pant is part of the squad, KL Rahul is expected to continue as the wicketkeeper, having impressed with both bat and leadership during the South Africa tour.
Ravindra Jadeja remains a certainty in the XI, offering valuable contributions with both bat and ball, along with unmatched experience in the format.
Siraj to Head the Revamped Bowling Unit
With Jasprit Bumrah rested as part of workload management, the responsibility of leading the pace attack will fall on Mohammed Siraj. He is likely to be supported by a mix of youth and variety, with several fast bowlers pushing for spots after strong domestic and IPL performances.
In the absence of Hardik Pandya, the Sunrisers Hyderabad all-rounder is tipped to fill the seam-bowling all-rounder role. Kuldeep Yadav, coming off an outstanding 2025 season, will be India’s primary spin weapon.
There is also a strong possibility of Harshit Rana earning his maiden ODI cap, adding extra pace and bounce, while Arshdeep Singh provides a left-arm option to round out the attack.
India’s Playing 11 in 1st ODI
Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (C), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (VC), KL Rahul (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh