Star India batter Virat Kohli has arrived in Auckland ahead of the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand, attracting considerable attention from fans at the airport. The former India captain was surrounded by supporters eager to take selfies and catch a glimpse of the batting superstar. Several fans also carried posters wishing him an advance happy birthday. Kohli, widely regarded as one of the greatest batters of the modern era, now represents India exclusively in the ODI format after retiring from Test and T20I cricket.
However, he continues to feature in the Indian Premier League for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The 37-year-old was last seen in action during India’s home ODI series against the West Indies earlier this month. He began the three-match series with an impressive century but managed scores of 29 and zero in the remaining two games. India eventually won the series 2-1.
Kohli will now turn his attention towards the New Zealand challenge, with the first ODI scheduled to begin on November 4.
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Meanwhile, India’s Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill has also started preparations after joining the T20I squad in Auckland. The upcoming ODI series will additionally mark the return of experienced opener Rohit Sharma to the national team.
The selectors have announced separate squads for the ODI series, with Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Anshul Kamboj and Prasidh Krishna scheduled to leave the squad after the initial matches to prepare for the two-Test series against New Zealand.
Touchdown Auckland 🇳🇿
#ViratKohli | #NZvsIND https://t.co/3MgycbLbA7
— Fan Account | Wrogn (@wrognxvirat) October 30, 2026
However, Prasidh Krishna’s participation in the Test series will depend on him successfully clearing the required fitness assessment. With several key players returning and preparations underway, India will look to build momentum ahead of the challenging assignment against New Zealand.
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India’s ODI squad for the first three ODIs: Shubman Gill (c), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (vc), KL Rahul (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Anshul Kamboj, Gurnoor Brar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Ishan Kishan (wk), Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna*, Kuldeep Yadav
India’s ODI squad for fourth and fifth ODIs: Shreyas Iyer (c), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan (vc and wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Kumar Kushagra (wk), Mohammed Siraj, Yash Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav
