Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant did extra work during the practice session ahead of the first ODI of the three-match series against New Zealand. Pant decided to continue training even after others finished, while Virat Kohli skipped the practice session ahead of the match, which is scheduled to begin on January 11.
India’s 15-member team includes two wicketkeeper-batsmen, Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul. Despite Shreyas Iyer being available in the last ODI series against South Africa, Pant was not included in the playing eleven and it does not seem that he will get a chance in the upcoming series as well.
Rishabh Pant set extra nets, Virat Kohli did not leave the session
India trained hard on Saturday, January 10 to prepare for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand. Players like Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, Mohammed Siraj, Ravindra Jadeja, KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill participated in this session. Virat Kohli did not attend practice that day.
Most of the players finished their training after some time, but Rishabh Pant remained in the nets. He continued to bat even after others were finished, showing his strong work ethic and focus before the series.
Along with Pant, Iyer, Siraj, Jadeja, KL Rahul, Rohit and Gill are in action. Virat not in practice today. pic.twitter.com/8HnWmee9QB
-Vimal Kumar (@vimalva) 10 January 2026
Everything is over but Pant is in no mood to leave the nets. Guess it’s not optional for him! pic.twitter.com/vfFYmrMuZy
-Vimal Kumar (@vimalva) 10 January 2026
The three-match ODI series will start on Sunday, January 11 at the BCA Stadium in Kotambi, Vadodara. The series will be India’s first international competition in 2026. After the ODI, the team will focus on the five-match T20I series against New Zealand.
India are entering this series with confidence after defeating South Africa 2-1 in the home ODI series. Virat Kohli was named Player of the Series for his performance in that competition.
Rishabh Pant last played in an ODI for India in August 2024
Rishabh Pant has played very little ODI cricket since returning from the car accident. He has played only one ODI match, which came during the Sri Lanka tour in August 2024. He scored six runs in the third match of the series.
Before the ODI series against New Zealand, Pant played several List A matches. While most of the Indian team reported to Vadodara on January 7, Pant was still in action for Delhi, playing their final group match against Haryana in Bengaluru on January 8.
Meanwhile, Mohammed Siraj missed the ODI series against South Africa at the end of 2025, but had played in the series against Australia before that. Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya have been rested for now and are expected to return for the upcoming T20 series and 2026 T20 World Cup.
Virat Kohli enters New Zealand ODI series with strong form
Virat Kohli showed strong form while playing for Delhi in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26. He participated in two matches and scored 208 runs in two innings, which included one half-century and one century. He scored 131 runs in 101 balls against Andhra Pradesh.
In ODI cricket, Kohli has played 308 matches for India and scored 14,557 runs, becoming the second-highest run-scorer in the format. He has scored 76 half-centuries and 53 centuries with an average of 58.46 and strike rate of 93.65.
Against New Zealand, Kohli appeared in 33 ODIs and scored 1,657 runs at an average of 55.23. He has scored nine half-centuries and six centuries against the Black Caps, with his best innings being 154 not out at the PCA IS Bindra Stadium in 2016.
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