India and New Zealand will play the third ODI on Tuesday, with rain threatening to spoil a crucial game in Hamilton. Team India has already won the first two matches of the five-match series 2-0 but will be desperate for another win if it is to stay in front.
But incessant rainfall in Hamilton has led to fears that the toss could not be taken before the start of the game and rain could delay its start too. Weather conditions have become a talking point ahead of the match, and even if rain continues throughout the day, the match may be abandoned.
The first two ODIs of the series were relatively low-scoring ones because bowling conditions helped bowlers a lot. Indian batters couldn’t dominate consistently, and New Zealand's bowling attack also had some success. But expectations are higher for the third ODI as fans want to see better batting from both sides. Indian openers and seniors will be keen to make an impact as they look to keep winning momentum going, and the third match is also an opportunity for some experienced players of India to get back into the groove with the bat too.
Rohit Sharma will be one of the biggest talking points on Tuesday. The Indian veteran wants to get back into form and make a big score after failing to do so in the previous matches. With talk about India’s plans for the next ODI World Cup, Rohit will feel pressure to show that he still has something to offer in international cricket.
Skipper Shubman Gill will also want to get into his rhythm and lead from the front. KL Rahul too will hope to take advantage of this opportunity and make a big score. If these senior players perform well, it would only boost India’s batting confidence ahead of the remaining international assignments.
India are unlikely to make wholesale changes to their playing combination for the third ODI as they are comfortably placed in the series. The pace-bowling department consists of Arshdeep Singh, Gurnoor Brar, Aaqib Nabi and Anshul Kamboj, who have been part of the team’s plans, but how well they can take advantage of conditions in Hamilton again will be key (if the pitch helps seamers), while in spin, Axar Patel will be expected to carry responsibility and control the middle overs. India management may want to keep things intact rather than try something new when they are winning.
New Zealand are under pressure too after losing the first two ODIs. Having lost the T20I series, they now face the prospect of losing the ODI series too. Injuries have complicated their preparations further as well, with certain departments short of options. For New Zealand, Tuesday’s match is very important because another defeat would give India an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series, and the hosts will be desperate to put in a strong performance if they are to keep their hopes of making a comeback alive.
One of the talking points around the New Zealand team is their home record: they last lost an ODI bilateral series against India on home soil in 2019 and since then have gone unbeaten in their next 11 home ODIs. A loss in the third ODI would therefore mean a seven-year run without defeat in home bilateral ODI series ended (and Tuesday’s game takes on extra significance for this reason).
Arshdeep Singh, Aaqib Nabi and Gurnoor Brar to stay back for Test series.
Meanwhile, three Indian fast bowlers in the ODI series against New Zealand will stay back in the country after the 50-over games are over. Arshdeep Singh, Aaqib Nabi and Gurnoor Brar will be part of the Indian Test squad for the two-match Test series which starts on November 19. Assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak said the three fast bowlers will stay with the Test squad and help senior players during preparations and the training camp.
Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Kuldeep Yadav and Anshul Kamboj (who are part of the ODI set-up) will also travel to Wellington after the third match to start preparations for the Test series. The coaching staff too will reportedly be divided into two groups so that preparations for both the assignments can be handled at once. Head coach Gautam Gambhir will continue with the ODI side while bowling coach Morne Morkel and other members of the coaching staff will join the Test squad.
India vs New Zealand 3rd ODI: Match Details
- Match: India vs New Zealand, 3rd ODI
- Venue: Hamilton, New Zealand
- India's Series Lead: 2-0
- Match Start: 7:30 AM (as scheduled)
- Live Broadcast: Sony Sports Network
- Live Streaming: SonyLIV
- Weather: Rain threat; toss and match start delayed.
Will Rain Wash Out the Third ODI?
The biggest question mark in the third ODI is the weather in Hamilton. Rain has already affected pre-match preparations and the toss (originally scheduled for 7 AM) will be delayed if it continues. If rain lasts longer, then it could be further interrupted or abandoned. Both teams will hope that conditions improve so they can play the contest.
For India, it’s very simple: win another game and complete a dominant series performance. For New Zealand, it’s effectively a must-win match to keep the series alive, so Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill will be hoping for good form back; New Zealand are fighting to save their home record, so the third ODI looks like an important contest if the weather allows it.
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