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Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli Return to New Zealand After 7 Years; Kohli Has 596 ODI Runs, Rohit Eyes First Century

Posted on 3rd Nov 2026 10:12 am by rohit kumar

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are set to return to New Zealand for India's five-match ODI series beginning November 4, 2026. The tour will bring the two former India captains together on New Zealand soil for the first time since January 2020, when they played the hosts in a T20I series.

 

With both players having retired from Test and T20I cricket, ODIs remain their only international format. The India vs New Zealand ODI series could therefore prove important as the selectors assess their performances ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa.

 

The five-match series will begin in Auckland before moving to Wellington, Hamilton and Mount Maunganui. Both experienced batters are included in India's ODI squads for the upcoming matches.

 

Virat Kohli Has a Better ODI Record in New Zealand Than Rohit Sharma

 

New Zealand conditions are often challenging for visiting batters because of seam movement, swing and bounce. However, Virat Kohli's ODI record on New Zealand soil has been stronger than Rohit Sharma's.

 

Kohli has scored 596 runs in 13 ODIs in New Zealand at an average of 49.66 and a strike rate of 91.41. His record includes one century and four half-centuries. He is just four runs away from completing 600 ODI runs in the country.

 

Rohit, meanwhile, has accumulated 437 runs in 14 ODIs in New Zealand at an average of 36.41 and a strike rate of 72.95. He has registered four half-centuries but is yet to score an ODI century in the country.

 

The difference between their records makes the upcoming series particularly interesting, with Kohli approaching a significant milestone and Rohit looking to achieve a first ODI hundred on New Zealand soil.

 

Virat Kohli's Only ODI Century in New Zealand Came in 2014

 

Kohli's most memorable ODI innings in New Zealand came in Napier on January 19, 2014. He scored 123 runs from 111 deliveries, registering his only ODI century in the country.

 

During the same tour, Kohli also produced impressive innings of 78 off 65 balls in Hamilton and 62 off 70 balls in Auckland.

 

Rohit Sharma's highest ODI score in New Zealand is 87, which he scored against the hosts at Mount Maunganui on January 26, 2019.

 

Rohit shared a 154-run opening partnership with Shikhar Dhawan, who contributed 66 runs. India subsequently posted 324/4 in 50 overs and secured a 90-run victory. Rohit was named Player of the Match, while Virat Kohli was leading the Indian team.

 

India eventually won the five-match ODI series 4-1.

 

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli Among India's Top ODI Run-Scorers

 

Both Rohit and Kohli feature among India's leading run-scorers in ODI cricket.

 

Sachin Tendulkar remains India's highest ODI run-scorer with 18,426 runs. Kohli is second with 15,109 runs, while Rohit Sharma occupies third position with 12,120 runs.

 

Kohli has registered 55 centuries and 79 half-centuries in 317 ODIs. Rohit has scored 35 centuries and 63 half-centuries in 291 matches.

 

Rohit's highest ODI score of 264 remains the highest individual score in the history of the format.

 

Globally, Kohli ranks second among ODI run-scorers, while Rohit is seventh.

 

Rohit Sharma's ODI Form in 2026: Strong Overall Numbers, Difficult New Zealand Series

 

Rohit Sharma has enjoyed a productive year in ODI cricket in 2026. He has scored 604 runs in 12 innings at an average of 50.33 and a strike rate of 104.67, including two centuries and two half-centuries.

 

However, his performance against New Zealand during India's home ODI series in January 2026 was comparatively modest. Rohit managed only 61 runs across three innings, averaging 20.33, with a highest score of 26.

 

His overall record against New Zealand is considerably different from his record on New Zealand soil.

 

Across 32 ODI innings against the Black Caps at all venues, Rohit has scored 1,134 runs at an average of 36.58 and a strike rate of 85.26. His tally includes two centuries and six half-centuries.

 

Both centuries came in India. Rohit scored 147 runs in Kanpur in 2017 and 101 runs in Indore in 2023.

 

The upcoming tour provides an opportunity for the experienced opener to improve his overseas record against New Zealand and build momentum ahead of the World Cup year.

 

2027 ODI World Cup: Performance Will Matter for Rohit and Kohli

 

The 2027 ODI World Cup is scheduled to take place in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have expressed their desire to participate in the tournament, but their selection will ultimately depend on performances, fitness and the decisions of India's selectors.

 

The New Zealand ODI series could be an important part of their preparations. Playing in challenging overseas conditions will give the team an opportunity to assess their form and experience against quality opposition.

 

Both players have also featured in domestic ODI cricket, including the Vijay Hazare Trophy, as part of their preparation for the international season.

 

India's ODI Record in New Zealand Presents a Major Challenge

 

India's historical ODI record in New Zealand underlines the difficulty of winning matches in the hosts' conditions.

 

Between 1976 and 2022, India played 45 ODIs in New Zealand. The team won 14 matches and lost 26, while one match ended in a tie and four produced no result.

 

The upcoming five-match series will therefore be another significant overseas assignment for India.

 

With Kohli just four runs short of 600 ODI runs in New Zealand and Rohit still searching for his maiden ODI century in the country, individual milestones will add further interest to the contest.

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