It is a face-off between the top two teams in the ICC ODI rankings. It is also a repeat of the Champions Trophy final.

Not too long ago, a three-match ODI series between India and New Zealand would have been among the most anticipated contests on the international calendar.

But in a T20-driven cricketing landscape, ODIs have struggled for relevance. With the countdown to the Men’s T20 World Cup already underway, bilateral ODI series are no longer accorded the same significance. In fact, they are often weighed almost on par with domestic performances when it comes to Test selection across the globe.

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Still, there is more to India’s three-match ODI series against New Zealand, beginning on Sunday (January 11, 2026), than just the Ro-Ko euphoria.

For starters, both the captain and vice-captain (Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer) are returning from injury layoffs.

They will have points to prove after being overlooked for the T20 World Cup. Gill missed out at the last minute despite being the T20I vice-captain in the lead-up, while Shreyas has increasingly been bracketed as an ODI specialist over the past couple of years.

Unsurprisingly, the duo was among the seven batters who had an extended workout at the Baroda Cricket Association Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Gill missed the remainder of the South Africa tour after suffering a neck spasm in the series opener, while the Mumbaikar is set to return after recovering from an abdominal tear sustained in Australia last October. Both will be eager to make an impact as men’s international cricket returns to Vadodara after a 15-year hiatus.

Besides Gill and Shreyas, Mohammed Siraj will also be keen to find his rhythm after being rested for the South Africa series. While Virat Kohli took it easy alongside the bowlers, Rohit Sharma turned up for a brief batting session. Rishabh Pant, who took a blow to the abdomen during net practice, will be hoping to get an opportunity at some stage during the series.

While India will look to maintain its formidable home record, New Zealand will rely heavily on youth. With Mitchell Santner set to join the squad for the subsequent T20I series, all-rounder Michael Bracewell will lead an inexperienced side.

Seasoned campaigners such as Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell and Kyle Jamieson will need to guide the group if the visitors are to challenge an ODI powerhouse on its own turf. Pacer Kristian Clarke is expected to make his international debut on Sunday.

The teams (from): India: Shubman Gill (Capt.), Shreyas Iyer (Vice-capt.), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, K.L. Rahul (wk), Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Nitish Kumar, Arshdeep Singh and Yashasvi Jaiswal.

New Zealand: Michael Bracewell (Capt.), Adithya Ashok, Kristian Clarke, Josh Clarkson, Devon Conway, Zak Foulkes, Mitch Hay (wk), Kyle Jamieson, Nick Kelly, Jayden Lennox, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Michael Rae and Will Young.

Match starts at 1.30 p.m.

He may have been disappointed by his exclusion from India’s squad for the Men’s T20 World Cup. He may also have been frustrated by repeated injury setbacks during the home season. Yet, Shubman Gill carried himself with a composure befitting India’s Test captain.

Ahead of the three-match ODI series, Gill was quizzed on a wide range of issues — from the dressing-room atmosphere and Test-match preparation to his omission from the T20 World Cup squad, New Zealand fielding a relatively inexperienced side, a former cricketer’s claim that ODIs are the easiest format, and his own mental make-up over the past month. Gill not only kept his composure throughout the interaction but addressed every pointed question without deflection.

“Obviously, as a player, you have a belief that if you play in the World Cup, you will win it for your team, for your country,” Gill said while reflecting on missing out on the T20 World Cup for the second consecutive edition. “Having said that, I respected the selectors’ decision and am wishing the T20 team all the very best. I really, really hope that they win the World Cup for us.”

In addition to the World Cup setback, two separate injury lay-offs meant Gill missed a significant portion of an already curtailed home season.

“Being a sportsperson, it’s all about being in the present. The more present you are — even when you’re on the field — and the less you think about what might happen or what has already happened, the better your chances of succeeding,” he said.

“I try to focus on what I need to do now and what is important. The more we can stay in the present moment, the simpler life becomes. And when life is simpler, it’s a much more peaceful and happier space to be in.”

Gill also admitted to the frustration of missing most of South Africa’s tour of India, including the entire ODI series, particularly after being named captain.

“It’s never easy,” he said. “When you’re injured, watching your team play and feeling like you’re missing out on games is difficult — especially when you’ve just been named the ODI captain. There are so many things you want to do, and when that opportunity is taken away, it’s definitely very frustrating.”

Through adversity, Gill’s responses reflected clarity, restraint and leadership — traits that continue to define his rise at the highest level.