Eden Park in Auckland hosts the opening ODI between New Zealand and India on November 4, 2026, and one of the most closely watched new-ball contests will be between India’s returning opener Rohit Sharma and New Zealand seamer Matt Henry. Shubman Gill captains the Indian side, with Virat Kohli also part of the squad alongside Rohit.
Against New Zealand in ODIs, Rohit has accumulated 1,134 runs across 32 innings at an average of 36.6 and a strike rate of 85.3, making him one of the more experienced Indian batters against Kiwi bowling attacks. However, the specific duel with Henry tells a different story at the individual level.
Henry has dismissed Rohit twice in ODI cricket, conceding 59 runs from 59 deliveries in their head-to-head exchanges. Those figures give Rohit an average of 29.50 and a strike rate of 100 against the New Zealand seamer. This indicates a balanced matchup between the two.
What does Rohit Sharma’s overall ODI record against New Zealand tell us?
For India, Rohit’s record against New Zealand across 32 innings stands at 1,134 runs at an average of 36.6 and a strike rate of 85.3. These are solid numbers that underline his consistency against Kiwi bowling in the format over the years. Seven innings of ODI cricket against New Zealand have involved encounters with Henry specifically, giving a reasonable sample of their individual contest.
The broader picture shows Rohit is a capable accumulator against New Zealand, but the head-to-head with Henry narrows the lens considerably. Henry has taken his wicket twice in those exchanges, keeping him to 59 runs from 59 balls.
How dangerous is Matt Henry for India’s openers in ODI powerplays at Eden Park?
For New Zealand, Henry‘s record against India in ODI powerplay overs is a significant asset. At Eden Park, where conditions typically assist seamers, that record becomes even more relevant heading into the November 4 fixture.
If Henry is available for the first ODI, his powerplay threat will be central to New Zealand’s plans. His availability for the match was not confirmed with certainty ahead of the game, as he missed the final three T20I matches with a quadriceps injury.
These numbers and the conditions at Eden Park make the Rohit versus Henry contest one of the key individual battles of the series opener, with Henry holding the statistical edge in their ODI head-to-head.
