India vs New Zealand – 1st ODI
The 1st ODI match of the New Zealand tour of India 2026 will see India face New Zealand on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at the BCA Stadium, Vadodara. The match is scheduled to begin at 1:30 PM local time (8:00 AM GMT).
India enter the series with a strong and experienced ODI squad despite resting Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah to manage workload ahead of the T20 World Cup. The return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli significantly boosts India’s batting strength. Captain Shubman Gill will look to lead from the front, supported by KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, and Rishabh Pant, offering both stability and attacking options in the middle order.
India’s all-round department features Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, providing balance with both bat and ball. In bowling, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, and Harshit Rana form a potent pace attack, while Kuldeep Yadav will be key in the spin department on a surface that traditionally supports wrist spinners.
New Zealand, led by Michael Bracewell, come into the series with a competitive and well-balanced squad. Their batting lineup includes Devon Conway, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, and Henry Nicholls, capable of handling Indian conditions and building solid partnerships. Wicketkeeping responsibilities will be shared by Devon Conway and Mitch Hay.
The Kiwi bowling attack features Kyle Jamieson as the leader of the pace unit, supported by Zak Foulkes and Josh Clarkson, while spin duties will be handled by Adi Ashok and Jayden Lennox. New Zealand’s mix of pace and spin gives them flexibility, especially in the middle overs.
The BCA Stadium, Vadodara, generally offers a balanced pitch with good bounce early on, making it favorable for stroke-making. As the match progresses, spinners come into play. A first-innings score of around 280–300 is considered competitive at this venue.
Expert Prediction: India have a 60% chance of winning, while New Zealand hold a 40% winning chance.
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