Vadodara: Cricket fans in Vadodara have a reason to rejoice as the city will host a men’s international cricket match after a long gap of 15 years. The first match of the One-Day International (ODI) series between India and New Zealand will be held on January 11, 2026, at Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara. The second match of the same series will be played on January 14 in Rajkot.
What makes the match even more exciting is the possible presence of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who recently retired from Test and T20 internationals but continue to play the ODI format. Fans are hopeful that both legends will take the field in Vadodara for this high-profile clash.
Kotambi Stadium Gains Significance
Previously known for hosting women’s cricket, Kotambi Stadium is now stepping into the limelight for men’s international matches. In the past six months, it has hosted: (1) An ODI series between India and West Indies women. (2) Six matches of the Women’s Premier League (WPL)
These events have helped Kotambi Stadium gain recognition as an emerging venue in Indian cricket.
Last International Match in Vadodara Was Also vs New Zealand:
The last men’s international match in Vadodara was played in December 2010 at the Reliance Stadium — and interestingly, it was also against New Zealand. Key highlights from that match:
Gautam Gambhir, now India’s head coach, scored a century and won the Player of the Match award. Virat Kohli contributed with a vital 63-run innings. India won the match convincingly.
A Crucial Series for Team India
New Zealand’s tour of India in January 2026 will include three ODIs and five T20Is. This series holds great importance as it will serve as preparation for the T20 World Cup to be held in February–March 2026. India are currently the reigning T20 World Champions, and this series will be key to finalizing strategies and form.
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