India vs New Zealand 1st ODI 2026: Match Preview, Probable Playing XI, Pitch Report & Prediction

India will begin their five-match ODI series against New Zealand on November 4, 2026, at Eden Park in Auckland. The opening match will mark the return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to India's ODI setup, with Shubman Gill leading the team. However, both sides have injury concerns heading into the series opener, making team selection an important talking point.

New Zealand will have home conditions on their side, while India will look to carry forward the confidence gained from their 3–2 T20I series victory. With the 2027 ODI World Cup approaching, this series also offers both teams an opportunity to assess their combinations.

India vs New Zealand 1st ODI: Match Details

The opening ODI will take place at Eden Park, Auckland, on Wednesday, November 4. The match is scheduled to begin at 7:30 AM IST, with the toss at 7:00 AM IST. Shubman Gill will captain India, while Mitchell Santner will lead the New Zealand side.

India vs New Zealand 1st ODI: Team News and Injury Updates

Injuries have affected the preparations of both teams ahead of the first ODI. New Zealand have suffered multiple setbacks, with Devon Conway ruled out of the opening match following a concussion. India, meanwhile, will be without Prasidh Krishna, while Auqib Nabi has been added to the squad for the first three matches.

India Team News

India will enter the series without fast bowler Prasidh Krishna, who has been ruled out because of a hamstring injury. The BCCI has added Auqib Nabi to the squad for the first three ODIs as his replacement.

All-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy is available only for the opening ODI before joining the India A squad. Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Anshul Kamboj and Gurnoor Brar provide India with pace-bowling options.

The return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will strengthen India's batting experience. KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan are the wicketkeeping options, while Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav provide spin-bowling alternatives.

New Zealand Team News

New Zealand's injury concerns have increased just before the series opener. Devon Conway has been ruled out of the first ODI after sustaining a concussion in a training-ground collision with Matt Henry. Tim Seifert is expected to replace him at the top of the order.

Matt Henry's availability remains subject to assessment, so his selection should not be treated as confirmed. New Zealand are already without Mark Chapman and Rachin Ravindra, who have been ruled out of the ODI series.

Henry Nicholls has been added for the first three matches, while Tim Seifert is available as an additional batting option.

India vs New Zealand 1st ODI: Probable Playing XI

The probable playing XI reflects the latest team news and pre-match selection reports available on November 3. These are predictions, not officially announced teams. The final playing XIs will be confirmed at the toss.

India Probable Playing XI

1. Rohit Sharma

2. Shubman Gill (c)

3. Virat Kohli

4. Shreyas Iyer (vc)

5. KL Rahul (wk)

6. Axar Patel

7. Naman Dhir

8. Nitish Kumar Reddy

9. Anshul Kamboj

10. Gurnoor Brar

11. Arshdeep Singh

Other options: Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Auqib Nabi, Ishan Kishan and Ruturaj Gaikwad.

New Zealand Probable Playing XI

1. Tim Seifert

2. Will Young

3. Daryl Mitchell

4. Tom Latham (wk)

5. Glenn Phillips

6. Michael Bracewell

7. Mitchell Santner (c)

8. Nathan Smith

9. Kyle Jamieson

10. Jacob Duffy

11. Matt Henry*

Matt Henry's availability remains subject to a fitness assessment. His inclusion in this predicted XI is therefore conditional.

Players to Watch in India vs New Zealand 1st ODI

The opening match features several experienced international players and promising options who could influence the result. India's experienced batting order will face a New Zealand attack familiar with local conditions. Individual performances from key players could prove important in determining which side takes an early advantage in the series.

Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma's return to ODI cricket will be one of the biggest attractions of the series. His ability to attack during the powerplay and build substantial innings makes him an important part of India's batting plans. A strong start from Rohit could put New Zealand under pressure early in the match.

Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli remains one of India's most dependable ODI batters. His experience in chasing targets and building partnerships will be valuable in New Zealand conditions. Fans will also be watching his performance closely as he returns to the 50-over format.

Read more: Virat Kohli ODI Centuries: Complete List, Records and Statistics

Shubman Gill

As India's captain, Shubman Gill will have responsibility both as a batter and as a leader. His ability to score consistently at the top of the order will be important, particularly against New Zealand's new-ball bowlers. The series will also give him another opportunity to develop his leadership in overseas conditions.

Daryl Mitchell

Daryl Mitchell is an important member of New Zealand's middle order. His ability to handle pace and spin makes him a valuable batter in different match situations. With Conway, Chapman and Ravindra unavailable for the opener, Mitchell's contribution could become even more significant.

Glenn Phillips

Glenn Phillips brings power, flexibility and athletic fielding to the New Zealand side. He can accelerate the scoring rate in the middle overs and provide momentum towards the end of the innings. His performance against India's spin options could be one of the key contests of the match.

Eden Park Pitch Report and Weather Forecast

Eden Park is known for its compact playing dimensions, which can create opportunities for batters to score boundaries. However, conditions in Auckland can also assist fast bowlers, particularly when there is movement with the new ball. Teams will need to balance their batting aggression with sensible shot selection.

Pitch Report

The surface at Eden Park generally offers an interesting contest between bat and ball. Its relatively short boundaries can reward attacking batters, while seamers may find assistance early in the innings. Spinners could become important as the match progresses, especially if the pitch begins to slow down.

A competitive total will depend on how effectively teams use the powerplay and manage the middle overs. The toss could influence the decision, depending on the conditions on match day.

Weather Forecast

The latest forecast available on November 3 indicates the possibility of morning showers in Auckland, with conditions expected to improve later. Cloud cover and the chance of rain could influence the start of the match, although the forecast may change.

Weather conditions should be checked again closer to the toss. Any interruption could affect the match schedule or the number of overs played.

India vs New Zealand ODI Head-to-Head Record

India and New Zealand have a competitive history in One Day International cricket. Both teams have produced memorable performances against each other, with India holding the advantage in their overall ODI record. However, New Zealand's familiarity with home conditions makes this series opener a different challenge.

India's overall record gives them a statistical advantage, but previous results do not guarantee success in Auckland. New Zealand will look to use home conditions to challenge the visitors.

Where to Watch India vs New Zealand 1st ODI Live?

Cricket fans in India can watch the opening ODI through Sony Sports Network, which will provide television coverage. Online live streaming will be available through SonyLIV.

The match is scheduled to begin at 7:30 AM IST on November 4, while the toss will take place at 7:00 AM IST.

India vs New Zealand 1st ODI: Match Prediction

India will start the contest with confidence after winning the preceding T20I series 3–2. The return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli adds considerable experience to the batting order, while Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul provide further stability.

New Zealand, however, will have the advantage of playing at home. Despite their injury concerns, players such as Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham, Glenn Phillips and Mitchell Santner have the experience to challenge India.

India may have a slight advantage on paper because of their batting depth and recent results. Nevertheless, New Zealand's home conditions make this an evenly contested opening match. The team that handles the powerplay and adapts better to the conditions is likely to gain the upper hand.

Disclaimer: The playing XIs and match assessment are pre-match projections. Official playing XIs will be announced at the toss.

Conclusion

The India vs New Zealand 1st ODI promises an exciting start to the five-match series. India will rely on the experience of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, along with Shubman Gill's leadership, while New Zealand will look to make the most of their home advantage. Both teams have injury concerns, which could influence their final combinations. India may have a slight edge on paper, but New Zealand have enough quality to make the contest competitive. The opening match could set the tone for the remainder of the series.