IND vs NZ: 12 BIG milestones Rohit Sharma could achieve in New Zealand ODIs

India and New Zealand will lock horns in a three-match ODI series starting January 11.

Indian Cricket Team opener Rohit Sharma is pulling his socks up for the ODI series against New Zealand. The India vs New Zealand (IND vs NZ) series will begin on January 11 with the opening game in Vadodara. Both sides will square off in three ODI games in the white-ball series, followed by five T20I matches.

Rohit will look forward to continuing with his marvellous form, which he showcased in the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) 2025-26 and the South Africa ODIs last month.

The right-handed batsman rocked the field with a century for Mumbai in the tournament opener against Sikkim. Against Proteas, he hammered two fifties across three matches, playing a crucial role in India’s 2-1 victory in the three-match series.

Having retired from the other two formats, the veteran Indian batter will thoroughly focus on the 50-over format in 2026, beginning his journey with the ODI series against the Black Caps.

Notably, Rohit Sharma is on the verge of setting some incredible milestones in international cricket, which he could achieve against the Kiwis. Below are 12 such records.

A Few Milestones Rohit Sharma could achieve in IND vs NZ ODIs-

1. Most centuries as an Indian opener

Rohit has hit 50 centuries in international cricket so far, out of which 45 came while batting as an opener. Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar also hammered 45 tons as an opener in his career, and Rohit needs one more to overtake the master blaster in the list.

2. Ruling with Maximums

With 355 sixes in 279 matches, Rohit holds the record for most sixes in the ODI format. However, he needs just two more to capture the record for most sixes in the 50-over format as an opener.

3. Dominating the Black Caps

The opening batter accounts for more than 1000 runs across 31 games against New Zealand in ODIs, smacking 47 sixes in the process. He needs just four more to steal the record for most sixes against the Black Caps. Pakistan’s Shaheed Afridi currently holds this record with 50 maximums.

4. Sixes against SENA

Former West Indies opener Chris Gayle currently owns the record for most sixes (342) against SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) countries in international cricket. Rohit follows him in the second spot with 338 sixes and needs just five more to overtake the Caribbean batting legend.

5. Most sixes against the Kiwis

Chris Gayle (87) and Rohit Sharma (81) also rule the leaderboard for most sixes against New Zealand across formats. The latter requires seven more to outplay the former West Indies captain’s tally.

6. Most 50+ scores vs New Zealand

With two centuries and 12 fifties, Rohit has 14 fifty-plus scores against New Zealand in international cricket as an opener, sharing the record with Virender Sehwag. Hence, he needs one more half-century to overtake Sehwag in the list.

7. Ruling in India’s victories

Known for his match-winning abilities, Rohit often takes the game away from the opposition on his day. So far, he has hit 99 fifty-plus scores as an opener in India’s victories and needs just one more to script history, becoming the only opener with 100 fifty-plus scores (in winning games).

8. 16K mark as an opener

With over 20,000 runs in international cricket, Rohit is among the best batsmen to ever play for India. Moreover, he needs just 67 more runs to complete 16,000 runs while batting as an opener and will get enough opportunities to grab the milestone in New Zealand ODIs.

9. 7K ODI runs in Asia

With 6969 runs in 163 games, Rohit is one of the dominating batters in the Asian subcontinent in the 50-over format. He is short of just 31 runs to reach the mark of 7000 runs.

10. Success against SENA

With 8870 runs across tests, ODIs, and T20Is against SENA countries, Rohit is the most successful opener among Asian batters. Hence, he needs just 130 more runs to become the only Asian opener to reach the mark of 9000 runs against them.

11. Leading in India’s victories

Former Australian batter David Warner owns the record for most runs as an opener in winning games (12,279 runs in 264 innings) in international cricket. Rohit closely follows him with 12,062 runs (251 innings) and needs just 217 more to become the most successful opener across formats.

12. Highest run-scorer in ODIs

With 11,516 runs in 279 games, Rohit is the all-time 9th highest run-scorer in ODI cricket. He is inching closer to former South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis (11,579) and former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq (11,739), needing just 224 more runs to become the 7th-highest run-getter in the 50-over format.

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