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Home strength will be tested seriously when India will take on New Zealand in the third and final ODI series at Holkar Stadium, Indore, this Sunday. The series is tied 1-1, and both teams are unsure of the stakes involved in this decider.

 

India has not lost a bilateral ODI series at home after March 2019 when Australia scripted a historic comeback. That unbeaten run now faces a real challenge from confident New Zealanders, who sense a rare opportunity to create history on Indian soil.

 

New Zealand Sense Historic Opportunity

 

India has been visiting New Zealand since 1989 for bilateral ODIs but has never won one in India. This time, however, feels different-in Rajkot, they had no lucky win backed with shrewd plannings and cool execution.

 

The highlight of that victory was an unbeaten century by Daryl Mitchell as he targeted India's spin with smart shot selection and controlled aggression across middle overs. Fewer stars made the chase managed by Devon Conway.

 

Coming into Indore with the wind in the sails, the Kiwis are feeling that this has to be the strongest shot they have had at breaching a decades-old barrier.

 

India's Middle Overs Dilemma

 

Rajkot brought out the same old issue in India - their batsmen against spin in the middle overs. While the batting line-up is power-packed with much depth, the one's key strike rotation has slowed down at that moment and these forced batters to play from riskier positions.

 

Indore is a bowlers' nightmare; with short boundaries and flat pitches, typically, scores above 350 are matched at such venues. Here quiet overs can twist the momentum at lightning speed. India will have to sharpen strike rotation and choose the right time to get attacking.

 

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Focus on Rohit and Kohli

 

Most of the attention would be focused on the otherwise quiet Rohit Sharma over the ash series. India's recent ODI style, characterized by aggressive starts, has already faced pressure in the recent past due to top-order early dismissals.

 

With Virat Kohli, who is the most dependable batter for India and the one chiefly responsible for handling chases or big runs constructed, there is less ODI cricket for the senior players ahead of July, and the fans would want at least one last good "RoKo" display to wrap up the series.

 

Selection calls might actually turn out to be decisive

 

Team balance will be the decisive factor. Between Reddy and Badoni, the general argument is power versus control. Reddy gives pitch hitting and part-time pace, while Badoni offers stability against spin. The strong case would be for inclusion in Indore for left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh. His swing, yorkers, and variations would be more effective than extra spin on a surface offering little turn.

 

However, getting him into the XI without weakening another area remains a painful call. KL Rahul looks settled for number five, and he acts as a stabilizer with his cool approach in pressure situations.

 

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A Battle of Decisions Under Pressure

 

New Zealand's bowlers might not have big names in their ranks, but they have managed to gain attention through smart application of variation and disciplined lines. In Indore, where the bowlers often come in survival mode, the skills will no longer hold exclusive importance.

 

For Shubman Gill and his side, they're gearing themselves for more than just winning a series in this match but showing flexibility and awareness during times of pressure.