Rain and Hail Threaten India’s Series-Sealing Bid as New Zealand Hope for Weather Lifeline in 3rd ODI
New Zealand find themselves in a difficult position against India in the ongoing all-format tour. Having lost the first two ODIs, the hosts are now staring at another series defeat that could bring their impressive run of home ODI series victories to an end.
The Black Caps have won 11 consecutive ODI series on home soil, with their last series defeat coming against India in 2019. While they struggled in the opening encounter, New Zealand showed considerable improvement in the second ODI, pushing India into a challenging situation.
After reducing India to 134, the hosts looked poised for a remarkable comeback. However, KL Rahul’s unbeaten 26 off 38 deliveries helped Shubman Gill’s team secure a three-wicket victory under the DLS method.
Despite the narrow defeat, New Zealand will take confidence from their bowling performance. India’s batters, meanwhile, will be keen to deliver a more convincing performance in the third encounter.
The hosts have struggled against India’s aggressive short-ball strategy, with their injury-hit squad further complicating matters. However, the weather could provide them with an unexpected opportunity to avoid another defeat.
Rain and possible hailstorms are forecast in Hamilton on Tuesday, raising concerns over the third ODI. A washout would prevent India from sealing the series immediately and give New Zealand another opportunity to fight back in the remaining matches.
The visitors also face the prospect of losing several key players to Test preparations, potentially giving the hosts a better chance of making a comeback.
IND vs NZ 3rd ODI: Team News
India will be eager to wrap up the ODI series before turning their attention to the upcoming two-match Test series against New Zealand. The third ODI is expected to be Shubman Gill’s final appearance as captain in this series, as he prepares to join the Test squad ahead of the opening match in Wellington on November 19.
Shreyas Iyer is set to lead India in the final two ODIs in Tauranga. KL Rahul is also expected to leave the ODI squad for Test preparations, opening the door for Ishan Kishan to take over wicketkeeping responsibilities.
India’s bowling unit has been among the standout performers so far. Auqib Nabi has impressed with his performances, while Gurnoor Brar, Anshul Kamboj and Arshdeep Singh have also made valuable contributions.
With the Test series approaching, India could consider managing the workload of their fast bowlers. Mohammed Siraj, in particular, may be rested to keep him fresh for the longer format.
New Zealand, meanwhile, continue to deal with injury concerns. Devon Conway suffered a concussion following a collision with Matt Henry, while Rachin Ravindra’s injury has weakened the team’s batting resources. Blair Tickner is also unavailable after sustaining a concussion, with Kristian Clarke drafted into the squad as his replacement.
The hosts will need a much-improved performance from their experienced batters. Tom Latham and Henry Nicholls have failed to make significant contributions in the opening two matches, while Tim Seifert and Will Young have struggled to provide solid starts.
Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips will also have important roles to play in the middle order. New Zealand cannot afford another batting collapse against an Indian bowling attack that has consistently exploited the conditions.
IND vs NZ 3rd ODI: Pitch Report
Seddon Park in Hamilton is expected to offer assistance to fast bowlers, with seam movement and bounce likely to play a significant role.
India’s pacers have troubled New Zealand’s batters with disciplined short-pitched bowling, making effective use of the bounce available. If the weather remains overcast, the conditions could provide even more assistance to the seamers.
Batting could become challenging, particularly during the early overs, and both teams will need to negotiate the new ball carefully.
IND vs NZ 3rd ODI: Hamilton Weather Update
Weather conditions could prove decisive in Hamilton, with rain and the possibility of hailstorms forecast for Tuesday. Cold, wet and overcast conditions are expected to create uncertainty over the uninterrupted completion of the match.
The second ODI in Wellington was also affected by rain, and there are concerns that the third encounter could face a similar interruption.
If the match gets underway, India’s fast bowlers will look to continue their impressive performance, while New Zealand will hope to use familiar home conditions to put the visitors under pressure.
A washout would leave India leading the series 2-0, delaying their opportunity to secure the trophy. With several Indian players potentially leaving the ODI squad for Test preparations, New Zealand could see the remaining matches as an opportunity to stage a comeback.
For the hosts, avoiding defeat in Hamilton would also be important as they attempt to protect their remarkable record of 11 consecutive home ODI series victories.
IND vs NZ 3rd ODI: Predicted Playing XIs
New Zealand: Will Young, Tim Seifert, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Tom Latham (wk), Mitchell Santner (c), Nathan Smith, Kyle Jamieson, Matt Fisher/Kristian Clarke, Jacob Duffy.
India: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (c), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Naman Dhir, Axar Patel, Anshul Kamboj, Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar, Arshdeep Singh.
IND vs NZ 3rd ODI: Live Streaming Details
The third ODI between India and New Zealand is scheduled to begin at 7:30 AM IST on Tuesday, November 10.
The match will be televised on the Sony Sports Network, while online livestreaming will be available on SonyLiv.
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