Virat Kohli is back in India colours. After a strong home series against the West Indies, the former captain is set to headline India’s five-match ODI series in New Zealand, which begins on 4 November 2026 in Auckland. With Kohli now playing only one international format, every ODI he plays carries extra weight, and this tour could be one of his last chances to play in New Zealand.
Here is everything you need to know about the Virat Kohli New Zealand ODI series: the full schedule in Indian time, his recent form, the milestones he is chasing and what fans can expect.
Quick Facts
| Series | India tour of New Zealand 2026 – ODI series |
| Matches | 5 ODIs |
| Dates | 4 November – 15 November 2026 |
| Venues | Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton, Mount Maunganui |
| Start time | 3:00 PM local time (7:30 AM IST) |
| Kohli’s formats | ODIs only (retired from T20Is and Tests) |
Virat Kohli New Zealand ODI Series 2026: Full Schedule in IST
India begin the tour with five T20Is from 22 October. Kohli and the ODI group join for the one-day leg, which starts once the T20I series ends on 1 November. All five ODIs are day-night matches.
| Match | Date | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI | Wednesday, 4 November 2026 | Auckland | 7:30 AM |
| 2nd ODI | Saturday, 7 November 2026 | Wellington | 7:30 AM |
| 3rd ODI | Tuesday, 10 November 2026 | Hamilton | 7:30 AM |
| 4th ODI | Friday, 13 November 2026 | Mount Maunganui | 7:30 AM |
| 5th ODI | Sunday, 15 November 2026 | Mount Maunganui | 7:30 AM |
Times are based on a 3:00 PM local start. New Zealand follows daylight saving time in November, so matches start early in the morning in India. Always check the official broadcaster for any late changes.
Why Virat Kohli Now Plays Only ODIs
Kohli has stepped away from two of the three international formats in recent years. He retired from T20 Internationals straight after India won the T20 World Cup final in Barbados in June 2024, and he announced his retirement from Test cricket in May 2025, days after Rohit Sharma did the same.
That leaves the 50-over format as the only stage where fans can watch Kohli play for India. Along with Rohit, he remains available for ODI selection as India build towards the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Virat Kohli’s Recent ODI Form
Kohli has shown that his hunger for runs in one-day cricket has not faded. Here is how his recent ODI cricket has gone:
- Late 2025 vs South Africa: Back-to-back centuries that helped India win the ODI series.
- January 2026 vs New Zealand (home): A fluent 93 in the first ODI in Vadodara anchored India’s chase. New Zealand, however, went on to win the series 2–1.
- September–October 2026 vs West Indies (home): A record-extending 55th ODI century in the series opener. India won the series 2–1, with Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Kohli and KL Rahul all scoring hundreds.
Kohli’s role in this side is clear: he is the anchor in the middle order and India’s most trusted batter in a run chase.
Why This New Zealand ODI Series Matters
1. The road to the 2027 World Cup
The 2027 ODI World Cup is scheduled to begin on 2 October 2027. With only a few ODI series left before the tournament, Shubman Gill’s side wants to settle on its best XI, and every match gives the selectors more information.
2. Revenge for January
New Zealand beat India 2–1 in India earlier this year. Winning in New Zealand would be the perfect answer. It is also a tough task: India’s last ODI series win in New Zealand came on the 2018–19 tour.
3. Possibly Kohli’s last tour of New Zealand
With Kohli and Rohit in the final stage of their careers, many expect this to be the last time New Zealand fans see the pair in an India shirt. Crowds are expected to be big at every venue.
Milestones Virat Kohli Is Chasing
Kohli now has 86 international centuries. The biggest target in front of him is Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 100 international hundreds. Because he plays only ODIs, he needs 14 more centuries in one format, which makes every series important.
Every century he scores also adds to his own record for the most ODI hundreds, which currently stands at 55.
What to Expect From Kohli in New Zealand
Conditions in New Zealand usually help seam and swing bowlers early in the innings, especially under lights. That makes the first ten overs vital, and Kohli’s ability to see off the new ball and then build an innings could decide several matches.
Expect Kohli to play his usual role: rotating the strike, punishing loose deliveries and staying in until the end of a chase. If he carries his West Indies form into this series, India will start as strong contenders.
India’s ODI Squad: Latest Update
At the time of writing, the BCCI had not officially named India’s ODI squad for the tour. Reports suggest the ODI group will travel to New Zealand on 28 October, and both Kohli and Rohit Sharma are expected to be included. We will update this article as soon as the squad is announced.
FAQs
When does the India vs New Zealand ODI series 2026 start?
The five-match ODI series starts on 4 November 2026 in Auckland and ends on 15 November 2026 in Mount Maunganui.
What time do the India vs New Zealand ODIs start in India?
The matches start at 3:00 PM New Zealand time, which is 7:30 AM IST.
Is Virat Kohli playing in the New Zealand ODI series?
Kohli is available for ODI cricket and is expected to be part of India’s squad. The official squad announcement is still awaited.
Has Virat Kohli retired from T20Is and Tests?
Yes. Kohli retired from T20Is in June 2024 after the T20 World Cup final and from Test cricket in May 2025. He continues to play ODIs for India.
How many ODI centuries does Virat Kohli have?
Kohli has 55 ODI centuries, the most by any batter in ODI history, and 86 international centuries across all formats.
Final Word
The New Zealand ODI series is about more than five matches. It is a test of India’s World Cup plans, a chance to settle a score from January and possibly a farewell to New Zealand for one of the greatest one-day batters ever. All eyes will be on Virat Kohli from 4 November.
Follow our Cricket section for match previews, results and analysis throughout the tour.
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