India take on New Zealand in the 3rd ODI of the three-match series being played between the two teams at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore on Sunday, January 18. The series is currently level at 1-1 after New Zealand came back strongly to win the second ODI. India will aim to make an early start to this match and use home advantage to their benefit. For New Zealand, the application of their middle-order batters will continue to rule the roost.
India knew that, despite Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli being unable to convert their starts in the second match, they could rely on KL Rahul’s batting prowess. In this game, however, a lot more will be expected from their batters from the top of the order. Skipper Shubman Gill has scored consecutive half-centuries, but he has the potential to score big centuries, and it is only a matter of time before that happens. Although their bowlers were largely unsuccessful in the second game, India can come back quickly.
New Zealand, despite boasting a young and inexperienced squad, held their own in the second ODI, with Daryl Mitchell leading the way with an unbeaten 131. He was also given ample support by Will Young, who scored 81. In Indore, New Zealand will look to form more partnerships and make the most of the middle overs. They need to focus on rotating the strike as much as possible to ensure that the Indian bowlers are unable to hold on to their lines and lengths.
Predicted Teams
IND: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (c), Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (wk), Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna.
NZ: Henry Nicholls, Devon Conway (wk), Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell (c), Kristian Clarke, Zakary Foulkes, Josh Clarkson, Kyle Jamieson, Adhitya Ashok.
Key Players
KL Rahul (IND): Wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul showcased his class with a stroke-filled 112 not out in Rajkot. He has often been sidelined from the playing XI or not given his rightful share at number five due to left-right combinations. Still, Rahul has continued to work hard on his game and delivered for his team when it matters the most. He has also been brilliant behind the stumps, conceding no byes in the second match.
Will Young (NZ): Will Young is among those rare faces in this New Zealand setup who have played in the subcontinent before. He was unlucky to miss out on scoring a century in the second ODI. However, Young proved his worth by building a strong partnership and leading his team to victory. The number three batter can be quite dangerous since he rotates the strike well and capitalises on errors made by the bowling side.
Match Prediction
India are expected to come back strongly. They will be expected to win. For New Zealand, the form of their young players is concerning, but since none of them got to bat in Rajkot, they were unable to be put to the test. India’s sole weakness lies in their bowling department, with the experienced Mohammed Siraj being unable to shoulder all the responsibility. If India’s spinners come to the party, the Kiwis will stand no chance against them at all.
