Virat Kohli is set to play only his second ODI at the Wellington Regional Stadium when India face New Zealand in the 2nd match of their five-match series on November 7, 2026. His sole previous appearance at that ground came in January 2014, and it ended in defeat despite a strong personal contribution.

In that 2014 encounter, Kohli scored 82 runs while India chased a target of 304 and fell short. He also contributed with the ball, returning figures of 1 for 36 from 7 overs. The result left him without an ODI win at the Wellington venue, a record he will be looking to change this Saturday.

Ahead of that fixture, India lead the five-match series 1-0 after winning the 1st ODI at Eden Park, Auckland, on November 5, 2026. Chasing a revised target of 143 under the DLS method, India reached the total in 22.4 overs, winning by 5 wickets. Kohli was central to that chase, scoring 74 off just 51 balls, an innings that included 13 fours and 2 sixes. He shared a 113-run partnership with captain Shubman Gill during that match. Rohit Sharma, by contrast, fell for a duck in the same game at Eden Park.

Wellington Regional Stadium is noted for its long straight boundaries, though the square boundaries are considerably shorter, a dimension that could influence how batters approach their innings in the 2nd ODI.

How has Kohli performed in ODIs against New Zealand overall?

Across 13 ODI innings in New Zealand, Kohli has accumulated 596 runs at an average of 49.66, a record that underlines his consistent output against this opposition. That tally includes 1 century and 4 fifties, reflecting his ability to convert starts into substantial contributions.

His broader record against New Zealand across all ODIs spans 37 matches, in which he has scored 1,971 runs at an average of 57.97. That record includes 7 centuries and 11 fifties, making New Zealand one of the opponents against whom Kohli has been most prolific in the format.

The 2014 Wellington ODI, where he made 82 in a losing chase of 304, remains his only appearance at Hnry Stadium and stands as a specific reference point as he returns to the ground more than 12 years later.

Where does Wellington fit in Kohli's overall ODI career?

Kohli's ODI career has produced more than 15,000 runs and 55 centuries in total, placing him among the highest run-scorers in the history of the format. His record against New Zealand, both in terms of average and century count, is among the stronger bilateral records in that overall tally.

The 2nd ODI at Wellington Regional Stadium on November 7 will be only his second appearance at the Wellington ground in ODI cricket. His first visit in January 2014 yielded 82 runs but no victory, and India now arrive with a 1-0 series lead and the momentum of a DLS-method win at Eden Park behind them.

Should Kohli perform well in Wellington this time, it would mark a significant personal turnaround at a venue where he has so far experienced only defeat despite contributing meaningfully with both bat and ball in his single previous outing there.