Auckland, Nov. 3 -- With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli returning to the only format they play, the Indian cricket team's focus will shift to the 2027 ODI World Cup as India begin their five-match series against New Zealand at Eden Park here on Wednesday.

The return of the two senior batters in one-day internationals gives the team an opportunity to assess its combinations and prepare for the next World Cup, scheduled to be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. The series also offers Shubman Gill, who will lead India, a chance to further shape the side's plans with less than a year to go before the tournament.

Men in Blue head into the ODI leg after winning the five-match T20I series 3-2. They had taken an unassailable 3-0 lead befo...