India vs New Zealand Live Score, 1st ODI: Focus on RoKo as India aim for a winning start in Auckland

With the 2027 ODI World Cup less than a year away, India’s preparations are starting to take shape. The timing makes this New Zealand tour particularly important.

India last played a five-match bilateral ODI series in 2018-19, ahead of the 2019 FIFA World Cup, and have no other such series scheduled before the next edition.

There are also questions to be addressed around the pace attack with Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna recovering from injuries and Jasprit Bumrah missing for this tour. Shubman Gill and the team management have plenty to think about and this series offers a valuable opportunity to test combinations and identify the right personnel.

The countdown to the World Cup is officially on!