When India face New Zealand in One Day Internationals, Rohit Sharma often plays a defining role at the top of the order. Known for his effortless timing and ability to dominate bowlers, Rohit’s ODI journey against the Kiwis reflects both early struggles and a strong rise as a match-winner.
With India recently completing another ODI series against New Zealand — including the latest match on 18 January 2026 in Indore — Rohit’s numbers and current form remain an important point of analysis.
Rohit Sharma’s Overall ODI Record vs New Zealand
Rohit has played against New Zealand across different phases of his career — from middle-order experiments to becoming India’s permanent opener. His record continues to evolve with each series.
Overall Performance Overview
| Category | Updated Record |
|---|---|
| Innings Played | 32 |
| Total Runs | 1,134 |
| Batting Average | 36.58 |
| Strike Rate | 85+ |
| Centuries | 2 |
| Fifties | 6+ |
| Highest Score | 147 |
| Batting Positions | No.1 to No.5 |
Rohit’s record reflects a mix of consistency and impact innings, especially during pressure situations and home series.
Early Phase: Searching for Stability
In his initial encounters against New Zealand, Rohit batted across multiple positions:
- Middle order (No.4 & No.5)
- Later promoted as opener
During this phase, inconsistency affected his numbers, but his potential was always evident.
See Also: Rohit Sharma Century List in All Formats
Transformation as an Opener
Once Rohit became a full-time opener, his performances against New Zealand improved dramatically.
Key Improvements
- Better strike rotation in powerplay
- Higher boundary percentage
- Improved technique vs swing and seam
New Zealand’s pacers historically challenged him, but this phase marked his dominance over them in ODIs.
Iconic Knock: The 147-Run Masterclass
One of Rohit’s most iconic innings came when he smashed a brilliant 147 off 138 balls, featuring:
- Effortless strokeplay
- Maintained aggression throughout
- Complete command against pace and spin
This remains one of his finest ODI efforts against New Zealand.
Captaincy Era Contributions
As captain, Rohit has continued to provide India solid and aggressive starts, often setting the tone early in the innings.
- Maintaining an attacking approach
- Leading by example in high-pressure chases
- Strike rate consistently above 85
Captaincy added responsibility but did not limit his natural attacking instincts.
Like to Know: India vs New Zealand ODI Head-to-Head Records, Stats
Rohit Sharma – Last 5 ODI Innings vs New Zealand (Updated)
Latest Form Table
| Date | Venue | Position | Runs | Balls | SR | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 Jan 2026 | Indore | Opener | 11 | 13 | 84.62 | Caught |
| 14 Jan 2026 | Rajkot | Opener | 24 | 38 | 63.16 | Caught |
| 11 Jan 2026 | Vadodara | Opener | 26 | 29 | 89.66 | Caught |
| 09 Mar 2025 | Dubai | Opener | 76 | 83 | 91.57 | Stumped |
| 02 Mar 2025 | Dubai | Opener | 15 | 17 | 88.24 | Caught |
Why Rohit Is Dangerous Against New Zealand
Rohit’s strengths make him particularly effective against New Zealand bowlers:
- World-class pull and hook shots
- Reads short-pitched bowling early
- Superb timing on slower Indian pitches
- Vast experience against New Zealand’s seam attack
These attributes make him especially threatening in home ODI series.
Conclusion
Rohit Sharma’s ODI record against New Zealand highlights his growth from a fluctuating middle-order batter to one of India’s most dependable openers. With consistent performances, including his recent outings in the 2026 series, Rohit remains a crucial factor in India’s success against the Kiwis.
As India continue their ODI battles, Rohit’s ability to give aggressive and confident starts will remain vital for the team.
