India and New Zealand open a five-match ODI series on Wednesday at Eden Park in Auckland, and the first game is already drawing more fan attention than the T20 series that just ended.

The biggest draw is the return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Their presence alone keeps expectations high, and supporters are waiting to see the senior pair back in India colours. But the stakes stretch well beyond one series. The bigger target is the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, and both veterans know they need to produce their best cricket against New Zealand to strengthen their case.

Several spots in the World Cup squad already look close to settled. Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Shreyas Iyer are considered the most likely names. That leaves a clear responsibility for head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill: get the remaining key players match-ready before the tournament arrives.

Why this series matters for the World Cup plan

Winning the five-match series would give India valuable experience and a psychological edge heading into the World Cup in South Africa. Every series now carries a clear purpose. Each selection, each batting order decision and each bowling change is being measured against that tournament.

The likely playing XI

Gill is almost certain to lead the side as captain, and Shreyas Iyer will serve as vice-captain. Both are in good form, which gives the team a strong start to the series. The Rohit-Kohli pairing, widely called the ‘Roko’ combination, is considered a near-certainty to open the innings.

Ruturaj Gaikwad is also all but certain to make the cut. The wicketkeeping spot is more open. KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan are competing for it, but Rahul is currently the favourite to start.

Axar Patel has a firm place in the side as the all-rounder. Kuldeep Yadav is expected to be the main spinner. Nitish Kumar Reddy is likely to begin on the bench, along with a few other players who are in contention but not yet guaranteed a place.

In the pace attack, Harshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj look like locks. The third fast-bowling slot is still open, with Anshul Kamboj or Gurnoor Brar the two names most likely to get the nod.

A tough ground with a difficult record

Eden Park is a real test for Team India. India have played 11 ODIs at the venue and won only four. Six ended in defeat, and one finished as a tie. Of those four wins, one came against Zimbabwe in a World Cup match. Against New Zealand specifically, India have won three and lost six at this ground.

Eden Park is a fire test for Team India.

The pitch shape also makes it harder for India to set up the field the way they want. New Zealand play regularly on this surface, which gives the home side a clear familiarity advantage. The conditions are expected to suit them more than the visitors.

A warning sign from the T20 series

The Indian T20 side, captained by Shreyas Iyer, suffered a heavy defeat to New Zealand in the fourth T20 of the recent series. That result puts the first ODI in a different light. Gill’s side now has to respond quickly, and playing the opening game at the same venue where the T20 loss happened adds another layer of pressure.

There is little room for a slow start. The series is long enough to allow experiments, but the first game will set the tone. A strong opening performance would calm doubts about the middle order and the bowling depth. A poor one would invite fresh questions about how ready the squad is for the World Cup in South Africa.

Wednesday’s match is the first real checkpoint of this stretch. The XI on the field will tell fans a lot about where India stand in their World Cup planning, and whether the senior pair can still set the pace for the next generation.