Nearly a year ago, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma faced intense scrutiny over their futures in Test cricket after a disappointing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Ahead of the England tour, both decided to focus solely on ODIs, but questions persisted about their fitness and motivation during long breaks between assignments.

The Australia white-ball tour, initially seen by some as a possible swansong, saw the duo respond with a masterclass. Despite India losing the first two ODIs, Kohli and Rohit stitched together an unbeaten 168-run partnership in Sydney, with Rohit scoring a century and Kohli 74*. The subsequent South Africa tour further underlined their form, with Kohli scoring two centuries and a fifty in three matches, totaling 302 runs.

Their dominance continued in domestic cricket during the Vijay Hazare Trophy, with Rohit amassing 155 runs in one match and Kohli 131, finishing the tournament as India’s top run-getters in ODIs for 2025 with 650 and 651 runs respectively. Both currently occupy the top two spots in the ICC ODI rankings.

With the New Zealand series ahead, the duo faces another crucial test before a long gap leading up to the England white-ball tour in July. A poor showing could raise questions about their readiness for the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, where conditions will test their skill on fast, bouncy tracks. Fitness and maintaining rhythm will be key, and both players have worked to stay at peak condition.

The upcoming series also presents an opportunity for a bit of revenge against New Zealand, who had contributed to their decline in Tests in 2024. Kohli has scored 1,657 runs in 33 ODIs against the Blackcaps, while Rohit has 1,073 in 31 matches. With an inexperienced New Zealand squad missing key players like Kane Williamson and Mitchell Santner, India’s veterans have the perfect setting to assert themselves on home soil.

Meanwhile, India’s depth in ODI talent is growing. Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Rishabh Pant, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel, and Ishan Kishan are all in contention, putting pressure on the veterans to maintain high standards. Every performance will be measured not only against opposition but also against the emerging generation of Indian cricketers.

As the series begins, all eyes will be on Kohli and Rohit—will they deliver another masterclass, or will scrutiny return? The stage is set for another chapter in the illustrious careers of India’s evergreen duo.