India and New Zealand are set to clash in the decisive third ODI at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore on January 18, 2026, with the series evenly poised at 1-1. The match is scheduled to begin at 1:30 PM IST.

The Series So Far

India secured a 4-wicket victory in the first ODI in Vadodara. However, New Zealand bounced back strongly in the second ODI at Rajkot, winning by 7 wickets, propelled by Daryl Mitchell's unbeaten 131 and Will Young's 87. Mitchell's outstanding performance leveled the series and set the stage for a thrilling finale.

The Stakes

New Zealand has never won an ODI series on Indian soil. After their victory in the second ODI, the Black Caps, led by Michael Bracewell, are confident and aim to make history. India, on the other hand, is determined to defend its strong home record, having not lost a bilateral ODI series at home since 2019.

Venue and Conditions

The Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore is known for being a batting paradise with a flat, hard surface and short boundaries. The pitch is expected to favor batsmen, promising a high-scoring contest. According to forecasts, the weather in Indore will be sunny with a high of 26°C during the day and a low of 13°C in the evening. Dew is expected to be a factor in the second innings, which could influence the toss decision.

Key Players and Battles

For India, the spotlight will be on Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul. Kohli has been in good form, while Rahul scored an unbeaten 112 in the second ODI. Rohit Sharma will be looking to convert his starts into a big score. New Zealand will rely heavily on Daryl Mitchell, who is in excellent form, and Devon Conway. The performance of New Zealand's Kyle Jamieson against Virat Kohli will also be a key battle to watch.

Team Composition and Strategy

India's bowling performance in the middle overs has been a concern. Arshdeep Singh might be included in the team to address this issue. New Zealand's ability to handle Indian spinners has been a key factor in their success, and they are expected to continue their sweep-heavy strategy.

Milestones to Watch

• India is one win away from 100 international victories against New Zealand.
• Kuldeep Yadav is seven wickets away from reaching 200 ODI wickets.
• Shreyas Iyer needs 26 runs to reach 3,000 ODI runs.
• Shubman Gill is 70 runs away from 3,000 ODI runs.
• Rohit Sharma needs 17 runs to record 16,000 runs as an opener in international cricket.

With both teams eager to clinch the series, a thrilling contest is expected at the Holkar Cricket Stadium.