Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli’s first match for India in 2026:Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer return in ODIs; Men in Blue aim for winning start

India is set to face New Zealand for the first of the three-match ODI series at the newly made Vadodara International Cricket Stadium in Kotambi. The match will start at 01:30 PM, where Shubman Gill makes his return to the ODI team after recovering from his neck injury. Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer is back as his deputy after recovering from a spleen injury. Both the captain and the vice-captain played in the Vijay Hazare Trophy to regain their fitness and form. This is the first meeting between the two teams in ODIs since the Champions Trophy final last year. India will be hoping for a winning start to the year 2026, while New Zealand will hope to upset the hosts. IND vs NZ, 1st ODI, match details Date Time: 11 Jan, 01:30 PM Venue: Vadodara International Cricket Stadium, Kotambi Live Streaming: Jio Hotstar Live Telecast: Star Sports Network Latest news updates: Bhaskar English (App/Website) IND vs NZ, head-to-head records in ODIs India and New Zealand have faced each other in 120 ODIs so far. India hold the edge with 62 wins, while New Zealand have emerged victorious in 50 matches. Seven games ended without a result, and one match finished in a tie. Vadodara International Cricket Stadium, pitch report According to visuals of the pitch going viral ahead of the first ODI, it seems like a batting paradise. The square appears flat, which will be a sight of delight for batsmen, and it could be a high-scoring contest. Dew may play a significant role in the second innings, so teams might want to bowl first. Kotambi, weather report The weather on Sunday is expected to be bright and pleasant, with sunny conditions throughout the day. The temperature will hover around 28°C, creating warm but comfortable conditions. There is no chance of precipitation, ensuring uninterrupted outdoor activities. Humidity levels are moderate at 54%, while winds will blow at around 13 km/h in Kotambi.