As the evening approaches on January 11, 2026, at the scenic Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara, the first One-Day International between India and New Zealand is heating up into a tense battle. This opener of a three-match ODI series, leading into a five-match T20I series, kicks off India’s busy 2026 cricket schedule. Under clear skies on a pitch that initially favored seamers but has now evened out, New Zealand’s batting has been challenged by India’s sharp bowling. Stand-in captain Shubman Gill, filling in for Rohit Sharma in leadership duties, won the toss and chose to bowl, a move that has largely worked in India’s favor.
Match Overview and Toss Decision
The BCA Stadium is hosting its first men’s international match. Shubman Gill, back from a neck injury, won the toss at around 1:00 PM IST and elected to field, pointing to the fresh pitch and possible early moisture. New Zealand, under all-rounder captain Michael Bracewell, aimed to bat first and set a target. India’s dynamic wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant is sidelined for the whole ODI series due to fitness issues, with KL Rahul keeping wickets.
India’s XI mixes veterans and newcomers: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (c), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (w), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna. New Zealand’s side: Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Hay (w), Michael Bracewell (c), Zakary Foulkes, Kristian Clarke, Kyle Jamieson, and Adithya Ashok. The Kiwis’ team shows some gaps due to injuries and absences, increasing the load on their top batsmen. 31 32
Current Score and Innings Progress
As of the latest at around 4:53 PM IST, New Zealand stand at 246/7 after 44.2 overs, with a run rate of about 5.55. The innings has featured a strong start followed by regular wickets, as New Zealand rebuilt from an opening partnership but stumbled against India’s mix of pace and spin. Daryl Mitchell remains not out on 58 off around 60 balls, reaching his fifty earlier and providing stability with calculated shots, like a slog-sweep for four against Jadeja.
Mitchell was briefly joined by captain Michael Bracewell, who hit a four off Harshit Rana in the 42nd over to reach 236/5. But Bracewell was run out dramatically at the end of that over by Shreyas Iyer’s direct hit on a quick single attempt. Zakary Foulkes came in but fell quickly for 1 to Mohammed Siraj in the 43rd over. Now, Kristian Clarke is at the crease with 5 not out, as the pair tries to add vital runs. 32 0 35
Key Performances and Partnerships
The Kiwi openers built a solid base with Devon Conway and Henry Nicholls adding 117 runs – New Zealand’s second-best opening stand against India in India. Conway made 56 off 67 balls, including a six off Kuldeep Yadav, while Nicholls scored 62 off 69. Both hit fifties in the 20th over off Washington Sundar, a rare 50-plus opening partnership for New Zealand in their recent 10 ODIs in India. This took them to 104/0 after 20 overs, pressuring India’s bowlers.
Debutant Harshit Rana shifted momentum, taking both openers soon after. He got Nicholls in the 21st over with a slower ball edged to Rahul, then bowled Conway in the 24th over with a seamer that beat the bat. Rana’s stats: 2/49 from his overs, highlighting his speed and changes. 31 37
Mohammed Siraj followed, dismissing Will Young for 12 in the 28th over with a slower short ball edged to Rahul, making it 146/3. Kuldeep Yadav struck next, getting Glenn Phillips for 12 in the 33rd over with a low googly caught at point by Iyer. Prasidh Krishna added pressure, bowling Mitchell Hay for 18 in the 37th over with a fast ball that hit the stumps, leaving New Zealand at 198/5. 31 39
India’s spinners – Kuldeep (1 wicket), Jadeja, and Sundar – have kept things tight without much turn on the pitch. The pacers, especially Rana and Krishna, have made better use of the conditions, with Siraj delivering key blows.
What’s Next in the Match?
With about 5 overs left in New Zealand’s innings, they hope to cross 270-280, leaning on Mitchell and lower-order players like Clarke and Jamieson. India aims to end the innings soon for an achievable chase. Attention will turn to India’s strong batsmen, including Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Gill, who could chase comfortably on this pitch.
This game starts the series and prepares for future events like World Cup qualifiers. As dusk falls in Vadodara, more drama awaits – watch for India’s batting reply. 36 38