Cricket excitement is growing in Vadodara ahead of the India vs New Zealand three-match ODI series. A video shared on social media shows members of the New Zealand cricket team going for a calm morning walk in the city before the first One-Day International on January 11.

Fans on platforms like Instagram and X have shared clips and reels of the Black Caps enjoying a quiet start to their day. The videos have added to the buzz around the series opener, with many supporters happy to see the visiting players spending time in the city.

The ODI series is one of the first major international white-ball events in India in 2026, and excitement among fans is high. The Indian team has also been preparing well, with training videos going viral online showing senior batters practising with strong intensity.

Watch the video here:

New Zealand cricket team went out for a morning walk in Vadodara,
while the Bangladeshi Kanglu team is crying over security concerns in India. 😂 pic.twitter.com/bMTPUTTOB4

— Sonu (@Cricket_live247) January 10, 2026

Also read -Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup 2026 games relocated to Hyderabad and Chennai? BCB reveals

Morning Walk Videos Add to Series Buzz

While the New Zealand team has kept its on-field practice low-key, the viral morning walk videos have shown a relaxed side of the touring players. These clips have made fans curious about the team’s routine and mindset as they prepare to face a strong Indian side. With the first ODI only hours away, these off-field moments have increased excitement for what is expected to be a competitive series in Vadodara.

Read more -Watch: “Agar maar…”- Virat Kohli’s special message for net bowlers ahead of IND vs NZ 1st ODI goes viral

Security Debate Gains Attention

The videos of Black Caps players walking freely in Vadodara have also brought attention to Bangladesh’s security concerns in India. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has raised worries about player safety during travel and has asked for the tournament to be moved to Sri Lanka. These concerns became stronger after Mustafizur Rahman was dropped from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for IPL 2026.

Bangladesh officials said the BCCI decision shows the environment may not be fully safe. Sports Advisor Asif Nazrul stated that player safety and national pride cannot be ignored. At the same time, fans have pointed out that the New Zealand team appeared comfortable moving around a busy Indian city without any problems.

IND vs NZ 1st ODI Preview:

India is ready to take on New Zealand in the 1st ODI of the New Zealand Tour of India. This match will be played at Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara. The hosts, India, have been in good form leading up to this, beating South Africa in the last ODI series. They would like to kickstart their tournament on a winning note.

On the other hand, New Zealand enters this series after winning two consecutive ODI series against the West Indies and England, respectively. They have been in splendid form, winning 17 out of their last 20 matches. The Michael Bracewell-led side would like to reform their past fortunes.

IND vs NZ Recent Performance:

IND vs NZ 1st ODI Match Details:

• Series/Tournament: New Zealand Tour of India 
• Match: IND vs NZ 1st ODI
• Date: 11 Jan. 2026
• Match Start Time: 1:30 PM IST
• Stadium/Venue: Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara, India
• Live Score: cricketwinner.com
• Live Streaming: Star Sports network, DD Sports and Jio Hotstar

IND vs NZ Head-to-Head Stats:

(Last 10 Matches)

IND vs NZ Pitch & Weather Report:

There is a possibility of clouds, and the chances of rain are very low. The temperature is expected to reach around 21.1°C. Based on previous stats, the average score at this venue ranges between 215 and 256 runs. The pitch offers little assistance to pacers.

Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara Stats: 

The fast bowlers get a little more help at the start of the match. But after spending some time on the pitch, the batsmen can make a good score. Winning the toss and opting to bowl first will be a wise decision on this surface.    

IND vs NZ Dream11 Prediction Playing 11

India (IND) Probable 11:

Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj

New Zealand (NZ) Probable 11:

Devon Conway (wicketkeeper), Henry Nicholls, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell (captain), Glenn Phillips, Zak Foulkes, Kyle Jamieson, Adithya Ashok, Michael Rae/Josh Clarkson, Jayden Lennox

IND vs NZ- Top Picks from IND

IND vs NZ- Top Picks from NZ

Cricket Winner Player’s Insight:

• Rohit Sharma (IND) is an explosive opener for IND. He has scored 240 runs in the last three matches.
• Virat Kohli (IND) is the backbone of the Indian batting lineup. He is one player to watch. 
• Devon Conway (NZ) is capable of winning any match from any stage. He is a valuable pick for the upcoming game.
• Daryl Mitchell (NZ) is the most experienced all-rounder in the New Zealand Squad. He has scored 219 runs in the last three ODIs.

IND vs NZ Captain & Vice-Captain Choices:

IND vs NZ Fantasy Team Suggestion:  

IND vs NZ Dream11 Prediction Expert Advice 

IND vs NZ Dream11 Prediction Probable Winners:

IND is expected to win this match. They have the advantage of playing on their home ground. Additionally, India holds a dominant 7-3 advantage over New Zealand in their 10 most recent encounters.

IND vs NZ 1st ODI FAQ

Who is likely to win the IND vs NZ match today?

India (IND) is expected to win this match.

Who is ahead in head-to-head stats?    

India

Who are the top fantasy picks for the IND vs NZ Dream11 team?

Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls and A Singh

What is the pitch report for this match?

The surface is balanced, and we can expect an average score range between 215 and 256 runs.