India vs New Zealand 1st ODI 2026: Match Preview and Venue Guide
India vs New Zealand 1st ODI 2026: A New Dawn at Vadodara
The international cricket calendar for 2026 has officially kicked off with a high-octane encounter between two of the sport’s most respected rivals. As the first ball was bowled this Sunday, the atmosphere at the newly inaugurated BCA Stadium in Vadodara was electric. Today’s cricket match represents more than just the start of a three-match ODI series; it marks a transition point for Team India under the full-time leadership of Shubman Gill and the much-anticipated return of the legendary “Ro-Ko” (Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli) duo to the 50-over format.
Match Overview
Match: India vs New Zealand, 1st ODI.
Date: Sunday, January 11, 2026.
Time: 1:30 PM Local Time (08:00 AM GMT).
Venue: BCA Stadium, Kotambi, Vadodara, India.
Toss: India won the toss and opted to bowl.
Playing XI & Squads
India has named a bowling-heavy lineup including three spinners and three pacers. New Zealand is fielding a young side led by Michael Bracewell, with two players making their debut.
| Team | Playing XI | Bench |
| India | Shubman Gill (c), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna. | Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel. |
| New Zealand | Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Hay (wk), Michael Bracewell (c), Zakary Foulkes, Kristian Clarke, Kyle Jamieson, Adithya Ashok. | Nick Kelly, Josh Clarkson, Michael Rae, Jayden Lennox. |
Key Match Officials
Umpires: KN Anantha Padmanabhan and Richard Illingworth.
3rd Umpire: Sharfuddoula.
Match Referee: Javagal Srinath.
Broadcast Information (India)
TV: Star Sports Network.
Streaming: JioHotstar.
Important Notes
Venue Debut: This match marks the first-ever men’s international match hosted at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara.
Player Milestones: Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are returning to the ODI squad for the first time in 2026. Kohli is currently on the cusp of surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s record for international runs.
Injury Update: Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of the entire ODI series due to a side strain; Dhruv Jurel was named as his replacement.
The Venue: A Historic Debut for Vadodara
The setting for today’s cricket match is the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) Stadium at Kotambi, Vadodara.3 This venue is making its debut for men’s international cricket, adding a layer of mystery and excitement to the contest.
Historically, the pitches in Gujarat are known to be “belters”—flat tracks that offer consistent bounce and favor high-scoring games. Early reports from the ground suggest that while the surface is a dream for batters, the dry conditions in the afternoon could offer significant assistance to wrist spinners as the match progresses. With a fast outfield and relatively short boundaries, fans were rightly expecting a “run feast” to celebrate the stadium’s inauguration.
Strategic Lineups: Probable Playing 11 for India vs New Zealand
Both teams entered today’s cricket match with specific goals. India is looking to integrate young talent like Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana alongside seasoned veterans, while a slightly depleted New Zealand side, led by Michael Bracewell, aims to prove their incredible squad depth.
India’s Balanced Combination
India’s strategy for the series opener revolves around a blend of explosive power and middle-order stability.5 With Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya rested to manage their workloads ahead of a busy T20 season, the responsibility of leading the attack falls on Mohammed Siraj.
India’s Probable Playing 11:
Rohit Sharma: The veteran opener looking to provide a flying start.
Shubman Gill (C): Leading from the front and anchoring the top order.
Virat Kohli: The backbone of the lineup, chasing further milestones.
Shreyas Iyer (VC): Returning from injury to reclaim his vital No.4 spot.
KL Rahul (WK): The versatile middle-order anchor and primary keeper.
Nitish Kumar Reddy: The emerging pace-bowling all-rounder filling in for Pandya.
Ravindra Jadeja: The reliable left-arm engine of the team.
Harshit Rana: The aggressive young pacer making his mark.
Kuldeep Yadav: The primary wicket-taking threat in the middle overs.
Mohammed Siraj: The leader of the new-ball attack.
Arshdeep Singh: Providing crucial left-arm variety at the death.
New Zealand’s Resilient Squad
The Black Caps are missing some senior faces but remain a dangerous unit. Led by Michael Bracewell, they rely on a flexible middle order and discipline in the field.
New Zealand’s Probable Playing 11:
Devon Conway (WK)
Henry Nicholls
Daryl Mitchell
Glenn Phillips
Michael Bracewell (C)
Tom Latham
Mitchell Santner
Kyle Jamieson
Ish Sodhi
Lockie Ferguson
Zakary Foulkes
Key Battles to Watch
In today’s cricket match, the individual duels are what will likely decide the outcome. All eyes are on the contest between Virat Kohli and the New Zealand spinners. Kohli has a legendary record against the Black Caps, but Mitchell Santner’s accuracy has often posed questions for him on Indian soil.
Furthermore, the opening spell by Mohammed Siraj against Devon Conway is crucial. If Siraj can extract early movement under the humid Vadodara sky, India could stifle the Kiwis’ momentum early on. The absence of Rishabh Pant due to a late injury (muscle strain) has also shifted the pressure onto KL Rahul and Dhruv Jurel, making the middle-order performance a focal point of today’s cricket match.
Why This Series Matters
While the T20 World Cup is on the horizon, this ODI series is vital for establishing the hierarchy in the 50-over format. India hasn’t lost a home ODI series to New Zealand in years, and they will be desperate to maintain that streak. For New Zealand, it’s about redemption after their loss in the 2025 Champions Trophy final against this very opponent.
Today’s cricket match is a testament to the enduring appeal of the ODI format—a game of patience, tactical shifts, and individual brilliance. As the two sides battle it out in Vadodara, the foundation for the rest of the 2026 season is being laid.
Checkout our latest news updates: Today’s Horoscope and Panchangam: Sunday, January 11, 2026
