Overview
- The series stands 1-1 with the third ODI on January 18 in Indore, starting at 1:30 pm IST after a 1:00 pm toss, with TV coverage on Star Sports and streaming on JioHotstar.
- India have not lost a bilateral home ODI series since March 2019, while New Zealand chase a first ODI series win in India.
- New Zealand’s seven-wicket win in Rajkot featured an unbeaten Daryl Mitchell century and exposed India’s middle-overs issues against spin, with Kuldeep Yadav targeted.
- Selection calls focus on balance and match-ups, with India weighing left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh and a Nitish Kumar Reddy vs Ayush Badoni choice as Washington Sundar sits out with a side strain.
- Holkar’s batting-friendly pitch, short boundaries and likely evening dew point to high totals and a premium on new-ball wickets, potentially favoring the chasing side.