When is Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's Next Match in International Cricket? Check Possible Date and Time in IST When Ro-Ko Will Be Back in Action

After a brief hiatus following their successful campaign in late 2025, India’s veteran batting mainstays Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are scheduled to return to international action in January 2026. The duo will lead the Indian charge in a three-match One-Day International (ODI) series against New Zealand, marking the start of a busy year for the Men in Blue. India ODI Squad for New Zealand Series 2026: Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah Likely To Be Rested; Rishabh Pant Facing Possible Omission

The opening match of the series is set for January 11, 2026, in Vadodara. This series is viewed as a vital step in India’s long-term preparation for the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup, focusing on maintaining the momentum gained from a dominant 2025 season.

India vs. New Zealand ODI Series 2026 Schedule

The upcoming series will be played across three venues in India. All matches are scheduled to begin at 01:30 PM IST, with the toss taking place at 1:00 PM.

1st ODI: January 11, 2026 – BCA Stadium, Vadodara.

2nd ODI: January 14, 2026 – Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot.

3rd ODI: January 18, 2026 – Holkar Stadium, Indore.

Following the conclusion of the ODI leg, India will face the Black Caps in a five-match T20I series. However, as both Sharma and Kohli retired from the T20I format after the 2024 World Cup, they will not feature in the 20-over matches or the subsequent 2026 T20 World Cup in February. Virat Kohli Filmed By Bus Driver Along With Ishant Sharma, Ayush Badoni and Other Delhi Teammates During Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 (Watch Video)

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's Preparation in Domestic Cricket

To maintain match fitness during the December break, both Kohli and Rohit have been active in domestic cricket. Under the BCCI’s mandatory participation policy for centrally contracted players, Kohli has been representing Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He recently made headlines by becoming the fastest player to reach 16,000 List-A runs during the tournament.

Rohit Sharma is also featured for Mumbai in the domestic 50-over competition. Sources within the BCCI indicate the squad will assemble by January 8 to begin specialized training sessions.

Squad Strategy and Workload Management

While the "Ro-Ko" duo returns, the selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, is expected to rest several key bowlers for the ODI series. Speedster Jasprit Bumrah and all-rounder Hardik Pandya are likely to be sidelined for the three matches to manage their workloads ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026, which begins on February 7.

The series will provide further opportunities for younger talents like Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal to bat alongside the veterans. India heads into the new year with high confidence after finishing 2025 with an ODI series win against South Africa and a victory in the 2025 Champions Trophy.

IND vs NZ 2026 Live Streaming Online and Telecast

The India vs. New Zealand series will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network  in India. Digital viewers can stream the matches live on the JioHotstar platform.

TruLY Score by LatestLY
Rating:3

TruLY Score 3 – Believable; Needs Further Research | On a Trust Scale of 0-5 this article has scored 3 on LatestLY, this article appears believable but may need additional verification. It is based on reporting from news websites or verified journalists , but lacks supporting official confirmation. Readers are advised to treat the information as credible but continue to follow up for updates or confirmations

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 30, 2025 02:51 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).