New Zealand ODI skipper Mitchell Santner admitted his team will have their work cut out in keeping Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli at bay in the upcoming five-match ODI series. New Zealand will host India for five ODIs, as many T20Is and two Test matches.

Meanwhile, Rohit and Virat have been masters of the ODI format and have delivered consistently across all conditions. Santner said the duo have enjoyed themselves while playing in New Zealand conditions.

While Rohit scored 175 runs in three ODIs against England, Kohli amassed 144 runs in as many games. There were doubts raised about Rohit’s future but he riposted with a brilliant knock of 138 runs off 110 balls at Lord’s in the third ODI.

“It is going to be a challenge. They are still very good players as we have seen for a long time; masters of the ODI game. They have taken a liking to some New Zealand pitches in the past. Hopefully, not this time around,” Santner told PTI.

He placed the series in a wider context. “It is going to be a great series, no doubt. It is all a lead-up for the World Cup next year in ODIs. Everyone is trying to figure out their best team; what that might look like for October next year with limited games,” Santner added.

New Zealand already have a clear sequence in mind. “We’ve got five (matches) against India, three against Sri Lanka at home and then it is World Cup prep in England (in September 2027), right before the World Cup,” Santner said.

“(But) first things first, you want to win a series against India at home, which would be an awesome thing. Then it is (about) trying to find what the make-up might look like come October next year,” he concluded.

Kohli and Rohit will be next in action in the ODI series against the West Indies.