New Zealand vs India 3rd T20I Predictions - big-hitting Varma to seal series
India hold a 2-0 lead in the T20I series against New Zealand after successfully chasing high totals in Christchurch. Glenn Phillips and Mitchell Santner have starred for New Zealand, but India’s greater batting depth—highlighted by Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma—has been decisive. With key players set for the third T20I, India are strongly backed to seal the series in Wellington, while Glenn Phillips remains New Zealand’s main threat. The article concludes that India’s finishing power and bowling depth give them the edge to win.
- India have won both of the first two T20Is by four wickets
- Tilak Varma hit a match-winning 51 from 26 balls in the 2nd T20I.
- Glenn Phillips hit 82* and 70 in the first two matches for New Zealand.
- Can India secure the five-match series with a win in Wellington?
India’s Tilak Varma smashed 51 off 26 balls to win the 2nd T20I (Getty Images).
New Zealand vs India Predictions
India have twice absorbed heavy pressure from New Zealand to chase down competitive totals to highlight their greater batting depth when matches have gone down to the wire.
- New Zealand’s Glenn Phillips has scored 82* & 70 in the 2 matches this series.
- New Zealand’s Bevon Jacobs hit 31 off 16 & 58 off 46 in his last 2 knocks.
- New Zealand’s Mitchell Santner has figures of 2/39 & 4/21 in his last 2 innings.
- India’s Tilak Varma scored a match-winning 51 off 26 balls in the 2nd T20I.
- India’s Sanju Samson has scored 56 & 67 in his last 4 innings.
- India’s Arshdeep Singh took 2/33 in the 2nd T20I.
Head-to-Head
India lead the series 2-0 after chasing 226 and 181 in the first two matches. They won both matches by four-wicket margins and can secure the series with a third successive victory.
New Zealand Form
New Zealand followed up their impressive 1st T20I score of 225/4 by posting a competitive 180/5 in the 2nd T20I but were unable to close the game out with the ball.
Glenn Phillips has been outstanding with the bat in scoring 82* & 70 in the first two T20Is, while Bevon Jacobs has offered good support in the middle order in scoring 31 and 58.
Mitchell Santner has starred with the ball in taking 2/39 and 4/21 but has lacked the support needed to close out the match, with India claiming thrilling last-over wins in both matches. Their challenge is to find more wicket-taking pressure through the middle overs.
India Form
India have twice demonstrated impressive depth in their two wins in this series. Sanju Samson dominated the first chase with an innings of 67 on the back of scoring 56 two matches before against the West Indies. Tilak Varma led the charge to take the win in the second T20I by scoring a blistering 51 off 26 balls.
India's bowling has been expensive at times but Arshdeep Singh got back to his best form by taking 2/33 in the 2nd T20I. He had good support from the rest of the attack to limit New Zealand to a manageable target, with Prince Yadav (1/30, econ 7.50) the most economical of their bowlers.
New Zealand remain dangerous through Glenn Phillips and Bevon Jacobs, but India have more proven finishers and enough bowling variety to adjust after two high-scoring games in Christchurch. With the tourists 2-0 up, India are the pick to seal the series in Wellington.
Team News
New Zealand have reshuffled their pace resources. Lockie Ferguson will miss the third T20I with Kyle Jamieson also available, but Blair Tickner has been called-up to their squad. India are monitoring Ishan Kishan after his adductor strain ruled him out of the second T20I.
New Zealand possible XI: Finn Allen, Tim Seifert, Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Bevon Jacobs, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Nathan Smith, Kyle Jamieson, Jacob Duffy.
India possible XI: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma, Naman Dhir, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Prince Yadav, Arshdeep Singh.
Verdict
India are backed to take the win that would ensure them a series win. Glenn Phillips is the standout New Zealand batting option, while Samson and Tilak head India's batting candidates. Arshdeep is the clearest bowling pick on recent evidence.
India Win
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