India vs New Zealand 3rd ODI Predictions - Kohli to carry India to series win

India have won four and lost one of their last five ODIs against New Zealand.

After picking up back-to-back wins India slipped to a seven-wicket defeat to New Zealand, making it three wins and two defeats in their last five ODIs.

India got off to a solid but slightly slow start, reaching 115/3 off 21.3 overs. Shubman Gill scored his second 56 in a row in the series, but Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s 20s were far too laboured. KL Rahul scored a superb 112* off 92 balls (S/R 121.73) to lift his side to 284/7.

Harshit Rana (1/52, econ) and Prasidh Krishna (1/49, econ 5.44) were the most economical of India’s wicket-takers, but Mohammed Siraj was the best of the Indian bowlers. Siraj’s nine overs went for just 41 runs (econ 4.55).

New Zealand bounced back from losing in the 1st ODI to level the series against India at 1-1 coming into the decider. New Zealand have won four and lost one of their last five ODIs.

Kristian Clarke (3/56, econ 7.00) knocked over Sharma, Kohli and Iyer as India struggled to 118/4 off 23.3 overs. New Zealand’s bowlers bowled superbly on a flat batting pitch, with Jayden Lennox (econ 4.20) and Michael Bracewell (econ 3.40) each sending down 10 tight overs to restrict the Indian batters. 

New Zealand also got off to a slow start before a match-winning third-wicket stand of 162 between Will Young (87 off 98 balls) and Daryl Mitchell (131* off 117 balls) took New Zealand to a comfortable win.

India captain Shubman Gill reflected on his side’s inability to make inroads into the New Zealand top order in the middle overs. “If you don't do that with five players inside the circle it becomes very difficult. We would have lost even with 15-20 runs extra. We did get a decent start with the ball, but they batted very well in the middle overs. In the first 10-15 overs that we bowled, the ball was doing a bit, but after that the wicket settled. We could have been more brave, and taken more chances - if you don't take your chances, you will be in trouble,” said Gill.

New Zealand skipper Michael Bracewell was delighted with the win. “It is a complete performance from us and I’m so proud of the team. We bowled very well and we were ready to chase anything. They bowled really well and the way the guys adapted and soaked up the pressure was great. Daryl and Young then took the game away from India,” said Bracewell.

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

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