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The stage is set for a high-octane series decider as India and New Zealand lock horns in the 3rd ODI at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore. With the three-match series currently leveled at 1-1, Sunday’s clash is not just about a trophy; it is about dominance, historical milestones, and the search for answers to tactical puzzles that have emerged over the last week.
For the Men in Blue, Indore has been a fortress, a place where they have never tasted defeat in this format. For the Black Caps, it is the threshold of history—a chance to secure their first-ever bilateral ODI series win on Indian soil.
What happened in the recent match between IND vs NZ? Read our first ODI match highlights article first and then watch this preview: [Read here]"
The Series So Far: A Tale of Two Games
The journey to Indore has been a rollercoaster. India started the series with a hard-fought victory in Vadodara, winning by 4 wickets. Virat Kohli was the star of the show, reminding the world of his timeless class with a masterclass 93. Despite a late wobble, KL Rahul and Harshit Rana held their nerves to take India across the line.
However, the narrative shifted dramatically in Rajkot. New Zealand, often labeled as the "underdogs," produced a clinical performance to level the series. Daryl Mitchell was the architect of India's downfall, smashing a majestic unbeaten 131 off 117 balls. Supported by Will Young’s 87, the Kiwis chased down 285 with seven wickets and 15 balls to spare.
The Rajkot defeat exposed India's vulnerabilities—most notably their struggle to contain set batters in the middle overs and an uncharacteristic difficulty in rotating strike against the New Zealand spinners.
What happened in the recent match between IND vs NZ? Read our first ODI match highlights article first and then watch this preview: [Read here]"
Venue Spotlight: Holkar Stadium, Indore
If there is one venue where batters lick their lips and bowlers look for cover, it is the Holkar Cricket Stadium. Known for its lightning-fast outfield and relatively short boundaries, Indore has consistently produced high-scoring thrillers.
India’s Flawless Record: India has played 7 ODIs at this venue and won all 7.
The Run-Fest: The average first-innings total here is a staggering 292, but in recent years, scores of 330+ have become the norm.
The Spin vs. Pace Dynamic: Interestingly, while it is a batting paradise, spinners have historically fared better than pacers here. Spinners average 32.5, while fast bowlers struggle with an average of 48.4.
Key Player Battles & Talking Points
1. Shubman Gill’s "Home" Away from Home
Indian captain Shubman Gill has a love affair with Indore. In his two ODI appearances at this ground, he has scored two centuries, totaling 216 runs at an average of 108. While he has looked good in this series with two half-centuries, he is due for a big one. Leading the side into a decider, Gill will want to make the Holkar Stadium his stage once again.
2. The Virat Kohli Factor
Virat Kohli recently reclaimed the No. 1 spot in the ICC ODI Rankings, and his form suggests he isn't letting go anytime soon. Having narrowly missed a century in the opening game, Kohli remains the biggest threat to the New Zealand bowling attack.
3. Daryl Mitchell: The Kiwi Nemesis
Daryl Mitchell has become a thorn in India's side. His ability to use his feet against spinners and his range of sweeps has neutralized India’s slow bowlers. If Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja cannot find a way to tie him down, Mitchell could single-handedly lead the Black Caps to a historic series win.
4. India’s Bowling Conundrum
The Indian management might look to freshen up the bowling attack. Prasidh Krishna and Kuldeep Yadav were expensive in Rajkot. There is a strong possibility that Arshdeep Singh could return to the XI to provide left-arm variety and better death-bowling control.
Head-to-Head Stats & Milestones
| Metric | India (IND) | New Zealand (NZ) |
| Total Matches Played | 122 | 122 |
| Wins | 63 | 51 |
| Tied/No Result | 1 / 7 | 1 / 7 |
| Wins in India (Series) | Dominant | 0 (Looking for 1st) |
Recent Form (Last 5 ODIs):
India: W, W, L, W, W
New Zealand: L, W, W, W, W
Predicted Playing XIs
India:
Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (C), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav/Washington Sundar, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh.
New Zealand:
Devon Conway (WK), Will Young, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell (C), Mitchell Hay, Zakary Foulkes, Kristian Clarke, Kyle Jamieson, Jayden Lennox.
Match Prediction: Who Will Win the Decider?
While New Zealand has the momentum from Rajkot and a sense of destiny on their side, India at the Holkar Stadium is a different beast altogether. The combination of a batting-friendly deck, a perfect venue record, and the urgency of a series decider makes India the slight favorites.
However, cricket is played on the day, not on paper. If New Zealand’s top order can withstand the initial burst from Siraj and exploit the short boundaries, we might just witness a historic "first" for the Black Caps in India.
When Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma walk out to open the innings at the Holkar Stadium, they aren't just starting a game; they are activating one of the most statistically dominant opening partnerships in modern ODI history.
While the "Ro-Ko" (Rohit-Kohli) era has defined the last decade, the Rohit-Gill partnership has quietly become India’s most lethal weapon in terms of sheer consistency and run-rate.
The Gold Standard: Partnership Stats
Since they first paired up as openers in early 2023, Rohit and Gill have rewritten the manual for modern opening stands.
The Highest Average in History: Among all opening pairs in ODI history with a minimum of 25 innings, Rohit and Gill hold the highest average of 70.50. This surpasses legendary duos like Gilchrist-Hayden (48.39) and even the iconic Tendulkar-Ganguly (49.32).
A "Centurion" Habit: In just 29 innings together, they have stitched 6 century partnerships and 12 fifty-plus stands. This means they provide a solid platform (50+ runs) in more than 60% of the matches they play together.
Total Runs Tally: As of early 2026, they have amassed over 1,974 runs together as an opening pair.
Indore: The Scene of Their Greatest "Heist"
The Holkar Stadium holds a special place in their partnership history. On January 24, 2023, against this very opponent (New Zealand), Rohit and Gill produced a masterclass that effectively ended the contest in the first 25 overs.
The 212-Run Blitz: They shared a staggering 212-run opening stand in just 26.1 overs.
Twin Centuries: Both batters reached three figures in that match—Rohit scoring 101 and Gill smashing 112.
Record Breakers: This stand broke the 14-year-old record for the highest opening partnership against New Zealand in ODIs (previously held by Sehwag and Gambhir).
Contrasting Styles: The Secret Sauce
The success of this duo lies in their "Fire and Ice" dynamic. As Shubman Gill noted in a recent interview, their roles are perfectly complementary:
Rohit (The Aggressor): Rohit’s evolution into a "Powerplay enforcer" means he often takes the aerial route early. His focus is on maximizing the field restrictions with his signature pull shots and lofted drives.
Gill (The Accumulator/Finisher): Gill plays the "gap-finder" role. He relies on timing and placement to keep the scoreboard ticking at a strike rate of nearly 100 without taking unnecessary risks.
"He loves to go aerial in the Powerplay... and I'm someone who likes to find the gaps. That combination works well." — Shubman Gill
Series Snapshot: 2026 Performance
In the current ongoing series, the duo has provided steady starts, though they are yet to reach the "triple-figure" stand:
1st ODI (Vadodara): 39-run opening stand.
2nd ODI (Rajkot): 50-run opening stand.
With the decider moving to their favorite hunting ground in Indore, the expectations are sky-high. If they can replicate their 2023 heroics, India will be well on their way to maintaining their 100% win record at this venue.
Men’s Cricket Live Score, Results & Highlights:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: When and where is the India vs New Zealand 3rd ODI being played? The third and final ODI will take place on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore. The match is scheduled to start at 1:30 PM IST, with the toss taking place at 1:00 PM IST.
Q2: What is the current status of the IND vs NZ ODI series? The series is currently tied at 1-1. India won the first match in Vadodara by 4 wickets, while New Zealand bounced back in the second match at Rajkot, winning by 7 wickets. The Indore match is the series decider.
Q3: How can I watch the 3rd ODI live in India? The match will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network. For digital viewers, the game will be available for live streaming on JioHotstar (or the respective platform holding rights in 2026).
Q4: What is the pitch report for the Holkar Stadium, Indore? The Holkar Stadium is famous for being a batter's paradise. It features a flat deck, a lightning-fast outfield, and small boundaries. While pace bowlers often struggle here, spinners have historically found more success, averaging 32.5 compared to 48.4 for fast bowlers.
Q5: What is India’s head-to-head record in ODIs at Indore? India has a flawless record at the Holkar Stadium, having won all 7 ODIs played at this venue. This includes a notable victory against New Zealand in January 2023.
Q6: Who are the key players to watch in the final? Keep an eye on Shubman Gill, who has two centuries in two games at this venue, and Virat Kohli, who is in peak form. For New Zealand, Daryl Mitchell is the man in form, coming off a match-winning 131* in the previous game.
Q7: Has New Zealand ever won an ODI series in India? No. New Zealand has never won a bilateral ODI series against India on Indian soil. A win in Indore would mark a historic first for the Black Caps.
Quick Match Summary for Search Snippets
Match: IND vs NZ, 3rd ODI
Date: January 18, 2026
Venue: Holkar Stadium, Indore
Series Score: 1-1
Key Stat: India has a 100% win record (7-0) in Indore.
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