India, Jan. 11 -- India's first assignment of 2026 is finally here. The Shubman Gill-led side will take on Michael Bracewell's New Zealand in the three-match ODI series, beginning Sunday, January 11, in Vadodara. The focus will once again be on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma and whether the duo can carry on from where they left off against South Africa. The two stalwarts scored runs for fun against the Proteas and even hammered the bowlers all around the park in the two Vijay Hazare Trophy matches they played.

The series will also mark the return of Shreyas Iyer, the vice-captain. The right-handed batter suffered an injury while taking a catch in the third and final ODI against Australia in Sydney. After spending two months on the sideline...