Virat Kohli has begun preparations for India’s upcoming five-match One-Day International (ODI) series against New Zealand, returning to the nets ahead of the tour scheduled to begin on November 4. The former India captain was seen practising with the white ball in a training video that surfaced on social media on Sunday.
With Kohli now focusing exclusively on the 50-over format after retiring from Test and T20I cricket, individual training sessions have become an important part of his preparation for international assignments. His latest practice session comes as India prepare for a challenging away series against New Zealand, with attention also turning towards the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in South Africa.
Kohli trained at the Cricket Club of India’s Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai, where he worked on his batting against both fast bowlers and spinners. According to reports, the veteran batter spent nearly two hours in the nets, using the session to fine-tune his technique ahead of the upcoming series. He was seen playing cover drives, defending deliveries on the back foot and using his feet to attack spin bowling. The session took place on a red-soil pitch, providing an opportunity to practise against different types of deliveries. Footage from the training session was shared on social media by Star Sports, drawing attention from cricket fans following the preparations of India’s senior players.
The upcoming series will provide Kohli with another opportunity to build on his recent performances in ODI cricket. He comes into the New Zealand assignment after an impressive three-match series against the West Indies in September, during which he scored 168 runs at an average of 84. His performance included an unbeaten 139 off 88 balls in the opening ODI in Thiruvananthapuram. The innings helped India secure an eight-wicket victory, with captain Shubman Gill also contributing a century. During that match, Kohli crossed the milestone of 15,000 runs in ODI cricket, becoming the second batter after Sachin Tendulkar to achieve the feat. He also registered his 55th ODI century, adding another landmark to his international career.
Kohli’s preparation is taking place against the backdrop of continuing discussion about his and Rohit Sharma’s roles in India’s plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Both experienced batters remain prominent figures in Indian cricket, but their future participation in the tournament has been a subject of debate among fans and experts. New Zealand assistant coach James Pamment recently addressed the issue, saying that senior players who have reached the later stages of their careers should have the opportunity to decide when they want to step away from international cricket. Pamment said that if Kohli and Rohit have identified the World Cup in South Africa as a major target, they should be supported, with their eventual selection depending on their performances and contributions to the team.
Pamment also praised Kohli’s professionalism, describing him as a player whose approach to training and preparation makes him valuable in a team environment. Although Pamment said he had not worked closely with Kohli, he noted that he had watched the Indian batter extensively while working with New Zealand and the Mumbai Indians. His comments offered a perspective from the opposition camp on the experience and discipline Kohli could bring to the upcoming series. For India, the five-match contest against New Zealand will provide a valuable opportunity to assess combinations, test players in overseas conditions and continue building towards future ODI commitments. Kohli’s experience in handling pressure situations and his record in the format will remain important considerations as the team prepares for the tour.
India’s ODI series against New Zealand will begin in Auckland on November 4, followed by matches in Wellington on November 7 and Hamilton on November 10. The fourth and fifth ODIs are scheduled to take place in Mount Maunganui on November 13 and 15. The opening three matches will be played under Shubman Gill’s captaincy, while Shreyas Iyer is set to lead the team in the final two games, according to the squad announcement by the Board of Control for Cricket in India. Kohli is included in both squads. With the ODI World Cup less than a year away, the New Zealand tour will be an important opportunity for the veteran batter to maintain his rhythm in the format and for India to assess their preparations against a competitive international opponent.