Rohit Sharma all smiles after landing in Auckland ahead of NZ vs IND 2026 ODI series [Watch]

India star batter Rohit Sharma has landed in Auckland on Thursday, October 29, ahead of India's five-match ODI series against New Zealand. The opener was seen smiling as he made his way through the arrivals area at the airport, and he is expected to link up with the rest of the squad soon.

Rohit Sharma had reportedly spent the last week preparing for the upcoming series at the MCA-BKC ground in Mumbai. Select members of the ODI squad, especially those who are part of the red-ball side as well, like Shubman Gill and KL Rahul, among others, have already landed in New Zealand, with some of them even featuring in the unofficial Test between India 'A' and New Zealand 'A'.

Have a look at the video of Rohit Sharma arriving in New Zealand right here (courtesy RevSportz).

Fellow veteran star batter Virat Kohli is also set to arrive in New Zealand shortly after being spotted at the Mumbai airport recently.

The ODI series runs from November 4 to 15, moving from Auckland to Wellington on November 7, Hamilton on November 10, and Mount Maunganui for the last two games. Rohit Sharma features in both the split squads, with Shubman Gill captaining the first three games and Shreyas Iyer the last two, as most of the members of the Test squad will depart to prepare for the crucial two-match series.

Rohit Sharma was among the runs in the recently held IND vs WI 2026 ODIs

Rohit Sharma is coming on the back of some solid form, with the speculations surrounding his future likely coming to an end. He was India's leading run-scorer in the ODI series against West Indies, with 225 runs in three innings at an average of 75.00 and a strike rate of 115.38.

Rohit Sharma has had his fair share of challenges in New Zealand. He has scored 437 runs in 13 ODI innings in the country at an average of 36.41 and a strike rate of 72.95, with four fifties. His best, 87 at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui during the 2019 tour, earned him Player of the Match in a 90-run win.

The first ODI of the series is scheduled to be hosted by Eden Park in Auckland on Wednesday, November 4.

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