The series-deciding third ODI between India and New Zealand is set to take place today, January 18, 2026, at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore. With the series leveled at 1-1, this match is a virtual final, with the winner clinching the series. The game is scheduled to begin at 1:30 PM IST, with the toss taking place at 1:00 PM.

India will be looking to leverage their home advantage and secure the series in front of their fans. New Zealand, on the other hand, will be aiming to achieve their first-ever ODI series win on Indian soil.

The Holkar Stadium in Indore is known for its batting-friendly pitch, characterized by a flat, hard surface and short boundaries. This makes it one of the highest-scoring venues in India. Fast bowlers might get some initial movement with the new ball, but spinners and seamers will likely find little assistance once the ball loses its shine. Given the expected dew in the evening, the team winning the toss is likely to bowl first to take advantage of easier chasing conditions.

All eyes will be on Shubman Gill, now captain, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul, who recently scored an unbeaten 112. For New Zealand, Daryl Mitchell will be the biggest threat after his match-winning century in the previous game. Shreyas Iyer is also expected to play a crucial role for India, returning after recovering from a serious injury.

The weather forecast for Indore indicates a sunny day with a high of 26°C and a low of 13°C. There is a 0% chance of rain, with light winds and moderate humidity. The clear skies and evening dew could make chasing easier in the second innings.

The last time India played an ODI at this venue, in September 2023, the match turned into a run-fest, with Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer both scoring centuries as India posted a formidable total.

Regarding the composition of the team, it remains to be seen whether Arshdeep Singh will get a chance in the starting eleven. The team will rely on experienced players like Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Mohammed Siraj to deliver crucial performances. The squads are as follows:

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

New Zealand: (Team list not available in the provided context).

With both teams eager to win, a thrilling and high-scoring encounter is expected at the Holkar Stadium in Indore.