IND vs. NZ ODI Series: Craze for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma persists; tickets for first match sold out in 8 minutes
IND vs. NZ ODI Series: The ODI series between India and New Zealand is set to begin on January 11, 2026. There is tremendous excitement among cricket fans for this high-voltage series. The frenzy among fans can be gauged from the fact that online tickets for the first ODI match to be held in Baroda sold out completely in just 8 minutes. This clearly shows that the craze to see Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma on the field is still intact.
Online ticket sales for the first India vs. New Zealand ODI match began on January 1st on the BookMyShow website and mobile app. As soon as the ticket window opened, a huge crowd of fans rushed in, and all the online tickets were sold out within minutes. However, only online tickets have been sold so far. The organizers have not yet announced a date for the sale of offline tickets, which fans are eagerly awaiting.
Rohit-Virat's first international appearance in 2026
This match will be the first international match of 2026 for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. The two legendary players were last seen in the series against South Africa in December 2025. After retiring from T20 Internationals in 2024 and Test cricket in 2025, Rohit and Virat are now representing India only in the ODI format. Despite this, their popularity has not diminished. Its biggest proof is the record-breaking ticket sales.
Their batting prowess remains intact
In recent months, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have proven with their stellar performances against Australia and South Africa that their batting prowess remains intact despite playing only one format. Both players have responded to their critics with their performances, even after the statement made by chief selector Ajit Agarkar regarding the 2027 World Cup. Based on their experience, fitness, and consistency, both continue to be the backbone of the Indian team.
ODI and T20 Series Schedule
The first match of the ODI series between India and New Zealand will be played on January 11th in Baroda, starting at 1:30 PM. The second ODI will be held on January 14th in Rajkot, while the third and final ODI will be played on January 18th in Indore.
Following this, the two teams will face each other in a five-match T20 series starting January 21st, promising continuous excitement for cricket fans.