India face New Zealand in the first ODI at Eden Park, Auckland, on November 4, 2026, with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli named in India’s 50-over squad. Shubman Gill will captain India for the first three ODIs, while Mitchell Santner leads New Zealand. This CricketFocus preview gives USA readers the start time, confirmed squad news and main players to watch.
The match begins at 3:00 PM New Zealand time. For viewers in the United States, that is 9:00 PM Eastern Time and 6:00 PM Pacific Time on Tuesday, November 3. The playing XIs will only be confirmed at the toss, so the squad selections below should not be read as the final lineups.
Quick Answer
India play New Zealand in the first ODI on November 4, 2026, at Eden Park, Auckland. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are in India’s squad, Shubman Gill is India’s captain, and the match starts at 9:00 PM ET on November 3 in the USA.
India vs New Zealand 1st ODI 2026: Match Details
The opening ODI is part of a five-match series between India and New Zealand. An ODI, or One Day International, gives each team up to 50 overs to bat. The fixture follows the T20I leg of India’s tour, so both teams now have to adjust to a longer format that rewards patience as well as attacking shots.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | New Zealand vs India, 1st ODI |
| Series | India tour of New Zealand 2026-27 |
| Local date | Wednesday, November 4, 2026 |
| Venue | Eden Park, Auckland |
| Local start | 3:00 PM New Zealand time |
| USA start | 9:00 PM ET and 6:00 PM PT on Tuesday, November 3 |
| India captain | Shubman Gill |
| New Zealand captain | Mitchell Santner |
| Format | One Day International, 50 overs per side |
Important
This is a pre-match preview checked on November 4, 2026. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are confirmed squad members, but their places in the playing XI, and the rest of both lineups, will be confirmed at the toss.
What Does the Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli Return Mean?
Rohit and Kohli return to India’s ODI plans for this series as the team moves from the T20I matches into 50-over cricket. Their selection gives India two experienced top-order options at a time when Gill is leading the side and Shreyas Iyer is his vice-captain for the first three matches.
For a beginner, the main point is simple: a 50-over innings lasts much longer than a T20 innings. Batters usually need to manage the new ball, build partnerships through the middle overs and still keep enough wickets in hand to attack near the end. Rohit’s ability to score early and Kohli’s experience in constructing an innings give India different ways to handle those phases.
Their presence does not guarantee a particular result or even a place in the final XI. India also have Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan among their batting options. The team management must balance the top order, the wicketkeeping role and the number of specialist bowlers.
The series also forms part of the longer build-up to the 2027 ODI World Cup. Fans who follow the careers of senior players can compare their records with other leading names in our guide to the highest run scorers in Cricket World Cup history.
Confirmed India Squad and Team News
The BCCI’s updated squad announcement confirms that Auqib Nabi has been added for the first three ODIs. He was initially selected only for the fourth and fifth matches. Nitish Kumar Reddy is listed only for the first ODI.
India squad for the first three ODIs: Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain), KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Anshul Kamboj, Gurnoor Brar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy (first ODI only), and Auqib Nabi.
Gill’s leadership will be one of the main stories. He has Rohit and Kohli available for guidance and batting strength, but he still has to make decisions about bowling changes, field placements and the balance of the side. Siraj and Arshdeep provide pace options, while Kuldeep offers a specialist spin choice for the middle overs.
New Zealand Team News: Conway, Ravindra and Chapman
New Zealand have several availability issues before the opening match. Devon Conway has been ruled out of the first ODI after suffering a concussion in a training collision with Matt Henry at Eden Park. New Zealand Cricket said both players received head injury assessments and would continue to be monitored.
Rachin Ravindra and Mark Chapman will miss the ODI series. Ravindra is recovering from a shoulder problem, while Chapman needs more rehabilitation for a hamstring injury. Henry Nicholls joined the squad for games one to three, and Tim Seifert is available for the full series. Matt Fisher also remains with the group as an extra bowling option.
Mitchell Santner still has experienced players such as Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell and Will Young around him. However, the changes make New Zealand’s final batting order less predictable. Matt Henry’s readiness to play was also due to be assessed, so his availability should not be assumed.
Players and Matchups to Watch
Rohit Sharma Against the New Ball
Rohit’s first few overs could shape India’s innings. If he scores freely, New Zealand may have to defend more attacking fields and adjust their lengths early. If their fast bowlers find bounce or movement, India may choose a more careful start. This makes the opening powerplay useful to watch, even for new fans.
Virat Kohli and the Middle Overs
Kohli’s role in an ODI often involves reading the required rate, finding gaps and keeping partnerships moving. New Zealand can counter that by bowling tightly and forcing batters to take risks against the larger parts of the ground. His contest with Santner and the other New Zealand bowlers could be important after the opening field restrictions end.
Daryl Mitchell Against India
Daryl Mitchell is a key New Zealand batter in this matchup. ESPNcricinfo’s match preview notes that four of his nine ODI centuries have come against India. That record makes him more than a name in the middle order. India need clear plans for him, especially if he gets set before the final fifteen overs.
Gill, Santner and the Tactical Decisions
Gill and Santner must decide when to attack and when to protect runs. A bowling change can look minor to a new viewer, but it often determines whether a batter stays comfortable or has to face a less favorable matchup. Watch how each captain uses spin once the ball becomes older.
Why Eden Park Can Change the Game
Eden Park is known for its unusual playing shape. The straight boundaries can be inviting for batters, but the same dimensions also reward bowlers who force shots toward the larger areas. Captains therefore need to think carefully about field placement, not just bowling speed.
The venue recently hosted a high-scoring T20I between these teams, but an ODI can play very differently. Batters have more time to recover from a quiet spell, and bowlers have longer spells in which to work on a weakness. Readers who want more venue background can explore our guide to the best cricket stadiums in the world.
How Is an ODI Different From a T20I?
A T20I gives each side 20 overs, while an ODI gives each side 50 overs. That extra time changes the rhythm of the contest. A team can lose an early wicket and still rebuild for many overs. A bowler may return for a second or third spell later in the innings, and a set batter can increase the scoring rate gradually instead of attacking from the first ball.
For this match, do not judge an innings only by the score after ten overs. Look at the wickets remaining, the batters still to come and the required scoring rate. Those details explain why a team that appears slow early can still finish with a strong total.
Watch Recent India vs New Zealand Highlights
The first ODI has not been played at the time of this preview, so its highlights are not available yet. In the meantime, this official Sony Sports Network video shows Glenn Phillips’ century during the fourth T20I of the same tour. It is a T20I highlight video, not footage from the upcoming ODI.
What Could Decide the First ODI?
The first decisive phase is the new-ball contest. New Zealand need early wickets to put India’s less settled batting combinations under pressure. India will want Rohit, Gill and Kohli, if selected together, to create a platform without losing too many wickets.
The second phase is control through the middle overs. Santner’s spin and New Zealand’s field placement could slow India, while Kuldeep and India’s pace attack will try to do the same to the hosts. The third phase is finishing. With short scoring opportunities available at Eden Park, both teams will value batters who can find boundaries without losing their shape.
New Zealand also have recent ODI confidence against India. They won the three-match ODI series in India 2-1 in January 2026. That result does not decide this match, but it shows why India should expect a competitive series rather than an easy opening fixture.
Where to Follow India vs New Zealand 1st ODI Live (Official Sources)
For live scores, ball-by-ball updates, playing XIs and official news, always rely on the boards themselves or trusted cricket authorities. For USA viewers, these are the most reliable places to follow the 1st ODI live:
- BCCI.tv – Official Indian cricket board. Best for India squad updates, press releases and official photos.
- New Zealand Cricket (NZC) – Official host board. Best for venue updates, team news and local match info.
- ESPNcricinfo – Widely used for live scores, full scorecards, commentary and match stats.
- ICC – Official global source for series/tournament related information.
Tip: Avoid random live-score aggregator sites. Stick to the above for the most accurate, up-to-date and verified information.
FAQs
What time is India vs New Zealand 1st ODI in the USA?
The match starts at 9:00 PM Eastern Time and 6:00 PM Pacific Time on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. In Auckland, it begins at 3:00 PM on Wednesday, November 4.
Are Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli playing the first ODI?
Both are confirmed in India’s squad for the first three ODIs. Their selection in the final playing XI will be confirmed at the toss.
Who are the captains for the first ODI?
Shubman Gill captains India, with Shreyas Iyer as vice-captain. Mitchell Santner captains New Zealand.
Why is Devon Conway not playing the first ODI?
Conway was ruled out after suffering a concussion during a training collision with Matt Henry. New Zealand Cricket confirmed the injury on November 3, 2026.
How many matches are in the ODI series?
The tour includes five ODIs. The opening match is at Eden Park, and each game uses the 50-over international format.
Final Match Preview
India vs New Zealand 1st ODI 2026 brings together experienced batters, a new leadership phase for Gill and a New Zealand side dealing with several injuries. For USA viewers, the match begins on Tuesday evening, November 3. Check the final XIs at the toss, then watch the new-ball phase and the middle-over battles to understand how the match is developing.
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