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India face New Zealand in the decisive third ODI at Indore with the series tied 1-1. Rohit Sharma’s form and Virat Kohli’s consistency are under focus as India look to protect their home record against a confident Black Caps side

Indore: India’s absolute dominance at home will be tested when they meet a determined New Zealand in the decisive third ODI at the high-scoring Holkar Stadium on Sunday, with the three-match series locked at 1-1.

India have not lost a bilateral ODI series at home since March 2019, when Australia overturned a 0-2 deficit to win 3-2, including the decider in Delhi. That record is now firmly on the line.

For New Zealand, the context is equally compelling. The Black Caps have toured India for bilateral ODIs since 1989 but have never won a series here. This is arguably their best chance to break that barren run.

India head coach Gautam Gambhir would not want another setback under his regime after enduring a number of unwanted firsts, including five Test defeats at home and an ODI series loss in Sri Lanka.

India’s defeat in the second ODI at Rajkot was shaped less by one extraordinary innings than by New Zealand’s control in the middle overs. Daryl Mitchell’s unbeaten century was built on calculated aggression, particularly against spin — an area where India have struggled of late.

Indore, with its short boundaries and minimal assistance for bowlers, offers even less margin for error.

Spotlight on Rohit and Kohli
Much of the focus will be on Rohit Sharma, who is enduring a lean run in this series. His aggressive approach at the top has been a defining feature of India’s ODI philosophy, but repeated early dismissals have added pressure.

Virat Kohli, meanwhile, remains the fulcrum of India’s batting. With India’s next 50-over assignment likely in July during the England tour, fans will hope for another “RoKo show.”

Selection balance
The choice between Nitish Kumar Reddy and Ayush Badoni is effectively a debate between depth and control. Reddy adds seam-bowling insurance and late-innings power, while Badoni offers tighter technique against spin and composure in the middle overs.

The case for including left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh also gains weight at Indore, where variations often determine success. His swing with the new ball and yorkers at the death provide India a different tactical dimension against New Zealand’s right-handed top and middle order.

The challenge lies in whom he replaces. Mohammed Siraj’s new-ball role makes him difficult to leave out. The likely trade-off would be a spinner or a seam-bowling all-rounder, depending on conditions.

KL Rahul’s role at number five is settled, with his ability to manage tempo and rebuild under pressure proving crucial.

New Zealand’s confidence
New Zealand enter with clarity and confidence. Mitchell’s dominance, supported by Devon Conway, has reflected their ability to identify match-ups and execute without overreach. Their bowlers, though lacking headline names, have used variations and hard lengths effectively in tough conditions.

At a venue where bowlers often resort to damage control, decision-making could prove as decisive as skill.

For Shubman Gill and his side, the challenge is not just to win the series but to show tactical flexibility and situational awareness — traits that define successful teams when margins are thin.

Teams (from):

India: Shubman Gill (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul (wk), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ayush Badoni, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana.

New Zealand: Michael Bracewell (c), Devon Conway (wk), Mitchell Hay (wk), Nick Kelly, Henry Nicholls, Will Young, Josh Clarkson, Zak Foulkes, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Adithya Ashok, Kristian Clarke, Kyle Jamieson, Jayden Lennox, Michael Rae.

Match starts at 1:30 pm IST.