India’s cricket superstar Virat Kohli was greeted by an enthusiastic crowd at Vadodara airport on Wednesday, ahead of the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand, which kicks off on January 11, 2026, at the BCA Stadium, Kotambi. Chants of “Kohli, Kohli” echoed across the terminal as fans gathered in large numbers to catch a glimpse of the batting maestro. Despite tight security, the scene turned chaotic as supporters surged forward, necessitating protection for Kohli to reach his car safely.

Kohli’s teammate Nitish Reddy also arrived in Vadodara, with several other Indian players expected to join in the coming days. The series marks an important chapter for India as the team prepares to challenge New Zealand in a high-profile ODI clash, with Kohli leading the charge both on and off the field.

The former India captain recently returned to List A cricket after a 15-year gap, competing in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. In his first two matches, he displayed sublime form, scoring a commanding 131 and 77 runs, while surpassing 16,000 List A runs, breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s long-standing record to become the fastest to reach this milestone.

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Kohli’s comeback to international cricket began during India’s Australia tour in October last year, and though he initially struggled with two ducks, he has since regained momentum. In the recent ODI series against South Africa, he scored back-to-back centuries, emerging as India’s top scorer and reaffirming his status as one of the modern game’s finest batsmen.

The 37-year-old is on the brink of another major milestone, being just 25 runs shy of 28,000 international runs. If achieved in the first ODI against New Zealand, he will join Sachin Tendulkar and Kumar Sangakkara as only the third cricketer in history to reach this landmark, highlighting his consistency and longevity at the top level.

Kohli also boasts an impressive record against New Zealand, having accumulated 1,657 runs in 33 ODIs, including six centuries and nine half-centuries. With a rich blend of experience, form, and fanfare, Kohli’s arrival in Vadodara has already set the stage for a thrilling start to the India vs New Zealand ODI series.

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