🏏New Zealand vs India, 3rd ODI-- Hagley Oval, Christchurch-P.37 🏏 - Page 29

After a disappointing 0-1 show in the three-match series, a desperate India will meet New Zealand in the third and final ODI TOMORROW, on Wednesday. The second match was washed out and now Team India would pray for a rain-free final OD in its bid to finish on an even keel in a series that neither had context nor any major takeaways.

Originally posted by: la_Reine

How many times will rain win😆

Originally posted by: Viswasruti

Let us hope not anymore!!

aaj koi match nahi hai?

🏏New Zealand vs India, 3rd ODI-- Hagley Oval, Christchurch-P.37 🏏

India and New Zealand will be squaring off against each other for the last time in the 3-match ODI series today at Christchurch.

New Zealand won the first game by 7 wickets while the second game got abandoned due to rain.

For India, bowling has been their weak link in this series. They piled up 306 runs in the first game but failed to defend it.

Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer, and Shubman Gill were among the runs from the Indian side in this series so far.

On the other hand, New Zealand has looked in decent touch in this series so far. Skipper Kane Williamson has been in fine form alongside wicket keeper Tom Latham.

Another cracking game of cricket is anticipated here as these two sides will lock horns with each other today.

India will be aiming to level the series with a win here while New Zealand would be hoping to win this game and seal the series in their favor.

New Zealand, who secured a win in the first match and split points in the second, would have lesser reasons to fuss about, especially since many of their 50-over regulars were a part of the semifinal campaign at the world cup in Australia.

They could do with a bit of rest, but it is unlikely to come too easy. They might have to go through multiple rounds of in-and-out movement from the field to ensure that their undefeated run in home ODIs continues and they seal another series win.

The temperature is expected to hover around 15°C on the matchday with 94% humidity and 23 km/hr wind speed. There is a 60% chance of precipitation during the game.

The Hagley Oval provides a neutral wicket where both departments are expected to receive a decent amount of help from the surface once again in this match. Spinners may play a promising role in the middle overs on this track.

Average 1st innings score:

The average first-innings score on this wicket is 235 runs.

Record of chasing teams:

The team batting second has great records here. They have maintained a winning percentage of 60 on this ground.

Probable Playing 11---

New Zealand: Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson ©, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson

India: Shikhar Dhawan ©, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Washington Sundar, Deepak Chahar, Umran Malik, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal

Dynamic players to watch --

Shreyas Iyer is a right-handed batsman from India. He has smashed 80 runs in this series so far and can play a significant role with the bat in this match as well.

Shubman Gill is a right-handed batsman from India. He has scored 95 runs in this tournament so far and will be hoping to capitalize on the start in this game as well.

Devon Conway is a left-handed batsman from New Zealand. He has scored just 24 runs in this series so far. He will be hoping to make it count in this one.

Lockie Ferguson is a right-handed batsman and right-arm fast bowler from New Zealand. He has hunted 3 wickets in this series so far and can net vital scalps here as well.

Batsmen – Shikhar Dhawan, Kane Williamson (C), Shreyas Iyer (VC), Shubman Gill, Glenn Phillips

All-rounder – Washington Sundar

Bowlers – Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, Umran Malik

Considering the team combination, India is expected to win this match.

Having three of the five matches in the tour already impacted by rain, Shubman Gill expressed his frustration over the prevailing weather conditions in as many words after the last game was abandoned. Even as the matches, which are taking place only a few weeks after the T20 World Cup, hold little significance for the two teams, it had opened up opportunities for several players, like Gill, from the near second-string Indian side to force their way up in the team management's priority order.

If India are willing to compromise on their sixth bowling option, Sanju Samson could find a place ahead of Deepak Hooda. Or one of the other frontline batters - Shreyas Iyer or Suryakumar Yadav - might have to be rested to give Samson a chance in the XI

With barely any play in the second ODI, there are no reasons for tinker with the XI. At best, they might consider the option of adding another pace option in the XI.

What they said:

"The body feels pretty good at the moment, so as long as you can still handle juggling all three and still being able to perform at the level you need to at this level. I love playing all three formats, so hopefully can do that for a wee while longer" - Tim Southee, on playing all three formats

"I benefit bowling with him because the batters can get deceived as the pace drops from 155kph to 135kph. We're enjoying bowling with each other and off the field as well." - Arshdeep Singh, on his experience of bowling alongside Umran Malik

The weather has been dicey right through this tour and it is no different for this thied ODI. There are scattered showers predicted all day but fortunately it hasn't started yet, let's keep our fingers crossed.

New Zealand have the 1-0 lead and with the way they dominated the first ODI, they start favorites today as well.

India have a knack of ending unbeaten streaks and the Kiwis are currently on a 13-match winning run at home.