The third and final ODI of the series between India and New Zealand will be played at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore on Sunday (January 18). After two gripping contests, the series is headed for an exciting decider.
While the Men in Blue aim to bounce back from their loss in Rajkot and reinforce their home dominance, the BlackCaps seek a sensational series triumph despite missing a number of their first-choice cricketers.
Few would’ve expected the understrength Kiwis outfit to take the three-match One-Day International series to the last game after resting several key players ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. But stand-in captain Michael Bracewell and his team came up with a spirited display in the second ODI in Rajkot, defeating the much-vaunted
Indians by 7 wickets.
Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, New Zealand sent back India’s legendary duo of Virat Kohli (23) and Rohit Sharma (24) before they could produce a substantial innings. Later on, skipper Shubman Gill (56) also failed to kick on from his half-century to get a big hundred. As the two-paced surface made it hard for Indian batters to hit through the line, the hosts were left in a position of vulnerability at 191/5. However, a terrific knock of 112 not out by KL Rahul revived the Indians and gave them a good score to defend.
At 2 down for 46 following the early departures of openers Devon Conway (16) and Henry Nicholls (10), New Zealand seemed a big distance away from the 285-run target. But a superlative partnership between Will Young and Daryl Mitchell ensured their fightback. While Young played a free-flowing knock of 87 and missed out on a century, Mitchell stayed there unbeaten for his 131 at the finish line alongside Glenn Phillips (32*). Mitchell played a high-class innings in the league of Rahul’s, never allowing the Indian spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav (1/82) and Ravindra Jadeja (0/44) to settle down.
Indore Weather Forecast For January 18
The forecast in Indore is for mostly clear skies, which should give us an uninterrupted contest at the Holkar Cricket Stadium.
At the height of the Indian winter season, both teams can expect cool temperatures, hovering in the range of 12 degrees Celsius to 28 degrees Celsius. The humidity is expected to be around 68 per cent.
