Ahead of the first ODI between India and New Zealand in Vadodara, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were felicitated by the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA). The ceremony marked the return of these two senior players to international cricket and formally unveiled the Kotambi Stadium on the men's international stage.

The felicitation served as a recognition of Kohli and Sharma's immense contributions to Indian cricket. Shubman Gill, India's ODI captain, acknowledged their importance, calling Rohit Sharma one of the greatest openers in ODI history and Virat Kohli one of the greatest ODI batsmen ever. Gill emphasized that having these experienced players in the team makes his job as captain easier, as he can rely on them for valuable input in challenging situations.

The return of Kohli and Sharma together at the venue added a special significance to the occasion. After a 22-day break, India's comeback to international cricket places a renewed focus on the 50-over format, especially as it is currently the only format that brings Kohli and Sharma together in the team. The series against New Zealand presents an opportunity for India to re-establish their rhythm, evaluate different combinations, and build continuity in preparation for a busy year ahead.

New Zealand player Will Young has also spoken about the influence of Sharma and Kohli, revealing that many players from the team see them as inspirations. He noted that both players have been at the top of their game for a long time.

With the T20 World Cup approaching, Young believes that the ODI series might be overlooked, but he also stated that representing one's country should always be met with passion and motivation.