India will take on New Zealand in a five-match ODI series which begins on Wednesday at Eden Park in Auckland. In 2022, the hosts won the three-match ODI series by a 1-0 margin after claiming the first game of the series, and the subsequent matches were washed out due to rain.

Focus will be on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohliwho are set for a potential last tour of New Zealand. The veterans have been in great batting form this year, and will want to give their fans an enduring series with the bat.

Both players were praised by Mitchell Santnerthe New Zealand skipper, who addressed the media ahead of the opening game. The 34-year-old was asked about the huge fan turnouts during the T20I series, to which he replied: “We had some good crowds during the T20I series. I expect the same to continue with Rohit and Virat here.”

He also added, “We know how good they are. Even though they are getting on with their careers, both of them still play good cricket, as seen in the recent series against West Indies.”

Virat will be celebrating his 38th birthday on Thursday and will be eager to come up with a big knock and become the leading ODI run-getter against Kiwis.

Kohli has scored 1897 runs so far and needs 75 runs to go past Ricky Ponting to claim the top spot. “I have watched them play for a long time, including Rohit in the IPL. We had a chat about India’s batting and discussed what we need to do as a bowling group in these conditions. “

Kiwi skipper warns Indian batters

The Men in Blue have three batters in the top four of the ODI rankings. Shubman Gill is first, followed by New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell. Kohli and Sharma are next.

“If we can get into their top order, particularly Shubman, who has been in great form, we can put ourselves in a good position. In the ODI format, it is all about consistently bowling well and building pressure, and if the wicket offers help, then it is about keeping the pressure on the batters for a longer period of time and challenging the opposition.”