Pujara Bets on Kohli for Century in India-NZ ODI Clash
Cheteshwar Pujara tips Virat Kohli to outscore Rohit Sharma in the upcoming India-New Zealand ODI series. Get the full squad and series details here.
Former Indian batting mainstay Cheteshwar Pujara has weighed in on the upcoming five-match ODI series between India and New Zealand, predicting that Virat Kohli is more likely to hit a century than captain Rohit Sharma. As the two giants of Indian cricket prepare for the series running from November 4 to November 15, 2026, Pujara believes Kohli's specific role in the lineup gives him the edge.
The Anchor vs The Aggressor
Pujara pointed toward the batting order as the deciding factor in his prediction. With Kohli designated as the 'anchor' at the No. 3 position, he is better positioned to build a long, century-making innings. In contrast, Rohit Sharma's role as an opener requires him to play aggressively during the powerplay to give India a flying start.
However, Pujara noted that the unique conditions in New Zealand could introduce a twist. He suggested that the environment might force Rohit to shift his tactics, which could potentially open up new ways for the captain to construct a larger score.
Series Schedule and Predictions
The high-stakes series will be hosted across several iconic New Zealand venues, including:
- Auckland’s Eden Park
- Wellington
- Hamilton’s Seddon Park
- Mount Maunganui’s Bay Oval
All matches are scheduled to begin at 7:30 AM IST. Looking at the overall outcome, Pujara has predicted a 2-2 deadlock in the series. He warned that the concluding matches would be particularly challenging and anticipated that rain might lead to at least one washout.
India's Rotating Leadership and Injury Blows
In a move driven by the BCCI's workload management plan, India will enter the series with a split leadership structure. Shubman Gill will lead the squad for the first three ODIs, while Shreyas Iyer will take over the captaincy for the final two matches. This arrangement serves as a lead-up to the two-Test series starting on November 19.
The Indian camp has suffered a setback with pacer Prasidh Krishna being ruled out of the entire ODI series after sustaining a hamstring injury.
New Zealand's Squad Struggles
The Black Caps, led by Mitchell Santner, are facing their own set of challenges. The hosts will be without key batters Rachin Ravindra and Mark Chapman, who are sidelined with shoulder and hamstring injuries, respectively.
To fill these gaps, New Zealand confirmed replacements including Henry Nicholls and Tim Seifert on November 2, 2026. This follows a hard-fought T20I series where India emerged victorious with a 3-2 win.