Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli reject net bowlers' bat requests as hilarious scenes unfold

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli shared a light-hearted moment with local net bowlers during India's practice session at Eden Park in Auckland ahead of the ODI series against New Zealand. The young bowlers asked Rohit for one bat, but the opener declined before Kohli stepped in with a hilarious suggestion.

India are preparing for a five-match series, with the first ODI scheduled at Eden Park on Wednesday, November 4. The tour will then move to Wellington and Hamilton before concluding with two matches at Mount Maunganui. The Indian batters have also been working against local bowlers to adjust to the conditions.

Virat Kohli Proposes Hilarious Bet After Net Bowlers Ask Rohit Sharma for His Bat

During the practice session, local net bowlers playfully gathered around Rohit Sharma to check out his bat and asked if they could have one. The Indian opener declined their request, prompting the young bowlers to approach Kohli instead.

Kohli responded humorously, saying, "I don't have enough bats. Rohit has plenty!" He then proposed that whoever had more bats between the two senior batters would have to give one to the net bowlers.

Rohit soon realised that Kohli had put him in a difficult spot. He got up, burst into laughter and walked away from the group, saying, "Sab mujhe phasa rahe hain!"

Net bowlers check out Rohit Sharma’s bat and ask him for one. Rohit declines! 😂 They then turn to Virat Kohli, who says, “I don’t have enough bats. Rohit has plenty!” Virat comes up with a fun bet: Whoever has more bats between him and Rohit will have to give one to the net bowler. Rohit gets up, bursts into laughter and walks away, saying, “Sab mujhe phasa rahe hain!” 😂 Laughter all around! 🤣 #RohitSharma #ViratKohli #NZvsIND #TeamIndia— Ankan Kar (@AnkanKar) November 3, 2026

Rohit Sharma Returns to New Zealand After Strong West Indies ODI Series

Rohit Sharma arrived in Auckland on October 29. He had an impressive performance against the West Indies at home, scoring 225 runs in three ODIs at an average of 75.00 and a strike rate of 115.38, including a century and a half-century.

Rohit Sharma is returning to New Zealand for an ODI series for the first time since 2019. During that tour, he scored 169 runs in five matches at an average of 33.80, including two half-centuries.

Rohit has scored 1,134 runs in 34 ODIs against New Zealand at an average of 36.58, with two centuries and six fifties. He has scored 437 runs in 13 ODI innings in New Zealand at an average of 36.41, with four half-centuries.

Rohit has also maintained his consistency in 2026, scoring 604 runs in 12 matches at an average of 50.33, including two centuries and two half-centuries.

Virat Kohli Enters New Zealand ODI Series After Crossing 15,000 Runs

Virat Kohli will enter the series as the world's third-ranked ODI batter. Kohli recently crossed the 15,000-run mark during the first ODI against the West Indies. He became only the second batter after Sachin Tendulkar to reach the milestone.

Kohli scored an unbeaten 139 off 88 balls during the first ODI but recorded a golden duck in the series finale at Mullanpur. Kohli has scored 15,109 runs in 305 ODI innings at an average of 58.78.

The former India captain has also enjoyed success in New Zealand, scoring 596 runs in 13 ODI innings at an average of 49.66 and a strike rate of 91.41, including four half-centuries and a century, with his highest score being 123 off 111 balls in Napier in 2014.