Virat Kohli sparks frenzy at Auckland airport after arrival for ODI in New Zealand

Virat Kohli’s arrival in Auckland ahead of India’s five-match ODI series against New Zealand turned into quite a spectacle with fans turning out in large numbers to catch a glimpse of the batting superstar. Despite tight security, the former India captain was mobbed for selfies and autographs while traveling through the airport terminal.

Videos circulating on social media showed supporters gathered behind barricades chanting Kohli’s name and raising their phones as he walked towards the exit. Some fans also carried posters with advance wishes for his birthday, which falls on November 5.

Kohli arrives in Auckland on his arrival. Vimal Kumar (@Vimalwa) October 30, 2026

Kohli tried to control the growing excitement by raising his hands and gesturing to the crowd to settle down. One particularly persistent fan kept clamoring for his autograph, prompting the Indian batter to ask her to calm down before signing her poster. In the end, he had to be helped by security personnel to make his way through the gathered crowd.

The 37-year-old arrived in New Zealand on Friday, October 30 to join the Indian squad ahead of the ODI series, which begins at Eden Park on November 4. His teammate Rohit Sharma arrived in Auckland a day early, while Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill also joined the squad and stepped up preparations in the nets.

KOHLI EYES STRONG NEW ZEALAND BACK

Kohli goes for the streak following India’s 2-1 ODI win over the West Indies at home earlier this month. He started the task with an unbeaten 139 off 88 balls and became only the second batsman after Sachin Tendulkar to cross 15,000 runs in ODI cricket. He followed that up with 29 in the second match before being dismissed for a golden duck in the series finale.

The former India captain remains the world’s No. 3 ODI Test batsman and has an impressive record in New Zealand, scoring 596 runs in 13 innings at an average of 49.66 and a strike rate of 91.41. His tally includes four half-centuries and one century, 123 off 111 balls against New Zealand in Napier in 2014.

India have announced two separate squads for the five-match series, with Gill leading the side in the first three ODIs and Shreyas Iyer taking charge in the last two. Gill, KL Rahul, Anshul Kamboj and Prasidh Krishna are among those expected to drop out of the ODI squad to prepare for the subsequent two-Test series, although Krishna’s participation is contingent on his passing a fitness test.

The ODI series begins in Auckland on November 4 before moving to Wellington and Hamilton, with the final two matches scheduled at Mount Maunganui.

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