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India and New Zealand face off in the decisive third ODI at Indore’s Holkar Stadium with the series tied 1–1. India’s unbeaten home record and batting-friendly pitch give them an edge, but New Zealand will fight hard to script history.
Series Decider Between India and New Zealand Set for Indore
New Delhi: The third and final One Day International between India and New Zealand will be played on Sunday, January 18, and it promises to be a thrilling series decider. With the three-match ODI series currently tied at 1–1, the winner of this match will clinch the series. Both teams have strong reasons to push hard for victory, making this contest highly competitive.
India have not lost a home ODI series since 2019, while New Zealand have never won an ODI series in India. These contrasting records add extra intensity and historical significance to the final match.
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The decisive ODI will be played at the Holkar Stadium in Indore, a venue where India boast a flawless record. Team India have played seven ODIs at this ground so far and have won all seven, giving them a 100 percent win rate.
This dominant record could weigh heavily on New Zealand’s minds. Under the leadership of Shubman Gill, India will aim to extend this winning streak and register their eighth consecutive ODI victory at this venue.
The pitch at Holkar Stadium is widely regarded as a batting-friendly surface. High-scoring matches are common here, and fans can expect another run-fest. The wicket is likely to be flat, allowing batters to play their shots freely.
However, bowlers might get some assistance with the new ball, as early swing could come into play. Once the ball gets older, batting becomes significantly easier. The match will be played on a black soil pitch, which traditionally supports stroke-making.
Weather conditions are expected to remain clear, with no rain forecast, but dew is likely, especially during the second innings. This could influence the toss decision, with captains preferring to bowl first to avoid difficulties later.
Despite New Zealand’s win in the second ODI, India are still considered favorites for the decider. Match predictions suggest a 70–30 advantage in India’s favor, although the toss could play a crucial role.
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Given their home advantage, strong batting lineup, and outstanding record at Indore, India appear better placed to win the series, provided they execute their plans effectively.
India’s Probable XI: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (Captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (Wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh.
New Zealand’s Probable XI: Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Hay (Wicketkeeper), Michael Bracewell (Captain), Jaden Lennox, Zakary Foulkes, Kyle Jamieson, Kristian Clarke.
