By Webfit News | 17 October 2026 Auckland cricket fans have a date to circle: 4 November, when India begin their five-match one-day international series against the BLACKCAPS at...
By Webfit News | 17 October 2026
Auckland cricket fans have a date to circle: 4 November, when India begin their five-match one-day international series against the BLACKCAPS at Eden Park, with Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma named in the touring squad.
India’s squad announcement confirms both senior batters have been selected for the full ODI series. Shubman Gill will captain the opening three matches before Shreyas Iyer takes over for the final two.
Gill will also lead India in the two-Test series that follows, with Jasprit Bumrah included in the red-ball squad and wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant selected subject to fitness clearance.
The announcement gives supporters a clearer picture of the players coming to New Zealand for a tour featuring five T20 internationals, five ODIs and two Tests.
Eden Park will host the fourth T20 international on Friday, 30 October, followed by the opening ODI on Wednesday, 4 November.
For fans hoping to see Kohli and Rohit, the ODI is the relevant fixture. Both have been named in India’s squads for the five-match one-day series.
Their selection does not guarantee an appearance in the Auckland match, with the playing XI to be confirmed closer to the game.
New Zealand Cricket says the 12-match visit is the largest inbound tour by number of internationals in its history. It begins in Christchurch on 22 October and is scheduled to finish with the second Test in the same city on 1 December.
India have named separate 16-player squads for the opening three ODIs and the final two matches.
Gill will lead in Auckland, Wellington and Hamilton, with Iyer as vice-captain. Iyer then takes charge for both Mount Maunganui fixtures, with wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan becoming his deputy.
Kohli and Rohit feature in both groups, alongside Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Gurnoor Brar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav.
The later squad brings in Tilak Varma, Auqib Nabi, Kumar Kushagra and Yash Thakur. Gill, KL Rahul, Anshul Kamboj and Prasidh Krishna are named only for the opening three ODIs.
Prasidh’s inclusion in that opening group is subject to fitness clearance.
The BCCI announcement confirms the leadership changes without providing a detailed explanation for them.
Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain), KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Anshul Kamboj, Gurnoor Brar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna and Kuldeep Yadav.
Prasidh Krishna’s selection is subject to fitness clearance.
Shreyas Iyer (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper and vice-captain), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Kumar Kushagra (wicketkeeper), Mohammed Siraj, Yash Thakur and Kuldeep Yadav.
India’s Test squad will be captained by Gill, with KL Rahul as vice-captain.
Bumrah joins a pace-bowling group that includes Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep and Anshul Kamboj. Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav are also included.
Pant is one of two designated wicketkeepers alongside Dhruv Jurel, although his participation remains conditional on fitness clearance.
The batting group includes Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal and Sai Sudharsan.
The first Test begins in Wellington on 19 November, followed by the second in Christchurch on 27 November.
Shubman Gill (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul (vice-captain), Devdutt Padikkal, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper, subject to fitness clearance), Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Anshul Kamboj, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Sai Sudharsan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Siraj.
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, 22 October | First T20I | Hagley Oval, Christchurch |
| Saturday, 24 October | Second T20I | Hagley Oval, Christchurch |
| Tuesday, 27 October | Third T20I | Wellington |
| Friday, 30 October | Fourth T20I | Eden Park, Auckland |
| Sunday, 1 November | Fifth T20I | Seddon Park, Hamilton |
| Wednesday, 4 November | First ODI | Eden Park, Auckland |
| Saturday, 7 November | Second ODI | Wellington |
| Tuesday, 10 November | Third ODI | Seddon Park, Hamilton |
| Friday, 13 November | Fourth ODI | Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui |
| Sunday, 15 November | Fifth ODI | Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui |
| 19–23 November | First Test | Cello Basin Reserve, Wellington |
| 27 November–1 December | Second Test | Hagley Oval, Christchurch |
All dates are New Zealand local dates.
Auckland Transport currently lists the Eden Park ODI for a 3pm start on Wednesday, 4 November.
Match tickets include travel on Auckland Transport buses and trains from 11.30am until the end of services that day. Ferry fares are not included.
Kingsland Station is next to Eden Park, and additional train services are planned after the match. Road closures and parking restrictions will also apply around the ground.
Supporters should check their tickets and the latest event and transport information before travelling.
For Auckland fans, the announcement sets up an opportunity to watch India’s established ODI stars alongside a changing leadership group, with the BLACKCAPS looking to make home conditions count.
Source: Board of Control for Cricket in India squad announcement, 16 October 2026; New Zealand Cricket; International Cricket Council; Auckland Transport.
Squad artwork credit: BCCI.
