Santner Braces for Kohli, Rohit as India Tour NZ in October

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner says beating India in the home ODI series is the first goal as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma return in October 2026.

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner expects a hard fight when Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma arrive for India's tour in October and November 2026. The two batters, who have stepped back to play only one-day cricket, will feature as India play five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests across the country.

Speaking to PTI, Santner said his first goal is clear: win the home ODI series against India. He called that a prize worth chasing before the Blackcaps turn their attention to building a squad for the 50-over World Cup, which follows in October 2027.

"It is going to be a challenge. They are still very good players, as we have seen for a long time - masters of the ODI game," Santner said of Kohli and Rohit. He noted that both men have scored freely on New Zealand grounds before and said he hoped that record would not continue on this visit.

The ODIs form part of a busy stretch for New Zealand. After the five matches against India, the side hosts Sri Lanka for three more one-dayers. The team then flies to England in September 2027 for a final block of preparation ahead of the World Cup.

"It is all a lead-up for the World Cup next year," Santner said. "Everyone is trying to figure out their best team, what that might look like for October next year with limited games." He added that securing a series win over India at home would be "an awesome thing" before the selectors settle on their combination.

The tour schedule

The visit opens with the T20Is. India play the first two on October 22 and October 24 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, followed by matches at Sky Stadium in Wellington on October 27, Eden Park in Auckland on October 30, and Seddon Park in Hamilton on November 1.

The one-day leg begins at Eden Park on November 4. Wellington hosts the second ODI on November 7 and Hamilton the third on November 10, before Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui stages the final two on November 13 and November 15. The two Tests close the tour, the first at the Basin Reserve in Wellington from November 19, and the second at Hagley Oval from November 27.

Fresh in the memory

The last time the sides met in Tests, New Zealand pulled off a 3-0 sweep in India. The result ended a home run for the hosts that had stood for more than 12 years and 18 series. Santner played a central role, taking 7 for 53 and 6 for 104 in the second Test at Pune to seal the series.

He believes the return fixtures could test India's changing side. "For a new-look India, it is probably going to be the first time some players have played red-ball cricket in New Zealand, where the pitches will be a little bit foreign," he said, adding that the surfaces tend to offer more than the players are used to at home.

Even so, Santner rated the touring squad highly, describing it as "well-rounded" and "shaping up nicely." He pointed to Jasprit Bumrah returning to a pace attack that also holds Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna, spin options in Ravindra Jadeja and Manav Suthar, and room for a fourth seamer.

On how the Tests might unfold, Santner spoke of matching aggression with aggression. "It could be trying to fight fire with fire, playing your shots," he said. He also expected patient spells, with batters at times letting the bowlers run in and waiting for the shine to wear off the new ball.

Only two Tests

Asked why the red-ball series runs to just two matches, Santner cited both tradition and cost. New Zealand has long played shorter Test series, he said, and the finances weigh heavily. Test cricket is expensive to stage, while white-ball games draw the crowds and the revenue - the reason, he explained, for the 10-2 split between limited-overs and Test fixtures on this tour.

A shorter series does nothing to lower the stakes for him. "Whenever India come, even if it is only two Test matches, it is going to be exciting," Santner said. "Everyone wants to challenge themselves against the best in the world, and they are up there." He added that the World Test Championship points on offer make the contest important for both teams.

India New Zealand series 2026, Mitchell Santner, Virat Kohli ODI, Rohit Sharma, Blackcaps India ODIs, India tour of New Zealand schedule, New Zealand cricket, World Test Championship