Amid the ongoing debate about Virat Kohli's preferred format, India's journey towards the 2027 World Cup begins with a three-match ODI series against New Zealand. This series, starting on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at the VCA Stadium in Vadodara, is more than just a cricket match; it's a pivotal moment in India's quest to break their World Cup drought. But here's where it gets controversial...
Sanjay Manjrekar's bold claim that ODI cricket is the easiest format has sparked a heated debate. While some analysts agree, others argue that the format demands resilience, persistence, and determination. This divide is particularly evident in the context of India's recent World Cup struggles, with the team going without a title since 2011.
Shubman Gill, India's skipper, weighs in on the debate, reminding everyone that if ODI cricket were truly easy, India would have won the World Cup by now. "I don't think any format is easy," he says. "If you look at it, the Indian cricket team hasn't won a World Cup since 2011, so if it was that, he would be winning (the) World Cup every second year."
The reason ODI cricket is often seen as the easiest format is that for a top-three batter like Kohli, it can appear relatively comfortable. The opposition would not strive for a wicket, largely content on containment. Four or five runs an over come like a breeze and the risk levels are comparatively low - arguably the lowest among the three formats.
However, Kohli did not rack up his impressive numbers merely on easy pitches, friendly field placements, small boundaries, or with swing- and seam-less balls. They are the product of countless hours spent in the nets, coupled with a disciplined lifestyle, peak physical conditioning, and a ravenous appetite for success.
India will need Kohli in that shape, mental state, and with that kind of hunger if the ODI World Cup drought is to be ended in late 2027. The preparation for it effectively begins with the New Year and will stretch for about 22 months, a period during which India are to play around 30 ODIs - starting with the three-match series against New Zealand.
Team News
India: With Shubman Gill back at the helm, he will naturally take back his place at the top of the order, a move that could confine Yashasvi Jaiswal to the bench. With Mohammed Siraj in the mix, accommodating three specialist pacers will not be easy - meaning one of Prasidh Krishna or Harshit Rana is likely to miss out. It will also be interesting to see whether there is room for all-rounder Nitish Reddy. With Ravindra Jadeja a certainty, the final spot in the XI could come down to a choice between Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar.
Probable XI: Shubman Gill (C), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (WK), Shreyas Iyer (VC), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh.
New Zealand: With Kane Williamson, Mitchell Santner, Tom Latham, Rachin Ravindra, and Jacob Duffy out of the squad, it is largely a second-string ODI side under Michael Bracewell. However, the New Zealanders are coming off three successive series wins against Pakistan, England, and the West Indies respectively, and Shubman Gill's side would take them lightly only at their peril.
Probable XI: Devon Conway (wk), Will Young, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell (c), Josh Clarkson, Kristian Clarke, Kyle Jamieson, Aditya Ashok, Michael Rae.
Did you know?
India are on a seven-match winning streak against New Zealand. They have not lost an ODI to them since 2023. At home venues, India have won seven successive matches against the visitors since 2017.
Since 2020, India won 9 of the last 10 bilateral ODI series at home. The only defeat came against Australia in March 2023. Overall, post the 2023 World Cup, India played five series, wherein they won three and lost two series against Sri Lanka (2024, away) and Australia (2025, away).
On the other hand, New Zealand is on a four-bilateral ODI series winning streak. Post the last 50-over World Cup, they have won five out of the last six series they played. The only defeat for them came against Sri Lanka in an away series.
What they said
"The team atmosphere is amazing. The players that you named (Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli) have been in this atmosphere for decades, and they are the people who always try to push the Indian cricket team forward. Even in the last series you saw how well they performed, so I think the atmosphere in the team is great right now." - Shubman Gill on the Indian team
"It's always a pleasure to come here to India and play against the Indian side. We want to gain some experience of playing in these conditions and put on a good show for it. And have a competitive ODI series. A month before the T20 World Cup, getting used to a lot of these conditions. We won't be in the same venue, but in general, getting used to the nature of the surfaces that they have." - Michael Bracewell, New Zealand skipper, on the relevance of ODI series for the side
