India vs NZ 3rd ODI abandoned at Hamilton, series lead stays 2-0
Synopsis
For the third straight ODI in New Zealand, rain had the final say — this time wiping out the entire contest at Seddon Park without a ball bowled. India still lead 2-0 and are guaranteed at minimum a series draw, but the weather story is threatening to overshadow what has otherwise been a dominant Indian performance on tour.
Key Takeaways
The 3rd ODI between New Zealand and India at Seddon Park, Hamilton was abandoned on 10 November without a ball being bowled.
India lead the five-match ODI series 2-0 , guaranteeing at least a series draw.
The toss did take place — India elected to bowl — but rain returned within minutes to end proceedings.
All three ODIs in the series have been affected by rain; both earlier games were decided by the DLS method .
Shreyas Iyer takes over as captain for the final two ODIs as Shubman Gill prepares for the Test series .
The 4th ODI is scheduled for Friday at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui .
The third One-Day International between New Zealand and India at Seddon Park, Hamilton was abandoned on Tuesday, 10 November without a ball being bowled, as persistent rain made play impossible. India retain their commanding 2-0 lead in the five-match series, with two games still to come.
How the Day Unfolded
Heavy rainfall had drenched Hamilton over the preceding 12 hours, casting doubt over the match from early morning. Ground staff made concerted efforts to prepare the playing surface during a brief dry spell, but a fresh burst of showers forced the covers back onto the square and pushed back the scheduled toss.
After a two-hour rain delay, the toss did eventually take place, with India electing to bowl for the third consecutive time in the series. Within minutes, however, the covers returned as showers resumed. With the cut-off time for a minimum 20-over contest set at 12:32 PM IST, and groundsmen requiring an estimated 30 to 45 minutes to ready the pitch even after the rain stopped, there was no realistic path to play. The umpires formally called off the match.
A Rain-Affected Series So Far
Weather has been a persistent disruptor throughout this tour. The first ODI in Auckland saw India chase a DLS-revised target of 143 in 22.2 overs, winning by five wickets. The second ODI in Wellington was also decided by the DLS method — India were declared winners while at 113 for 7 chasing 135, sitting four runs ahead of the par score when rain intervened. This is the third successive ODI to be affected by rain, an unusual run even by New Zealand's notoriously unpredictable standards.
Squad Changes Ahead of Final Two Games
The abandoned contest also marks a transition point in India's touring party. Shreyas Iyer takes over the captaincy for the remaining two ODIs as Shubman Gill, along with other red-ball specialists in the squad, now shifts focus to the upcoming two-match Test series. The change signals that the team management is already managing workloads with the longer format in mind.
What Comes Next
India are mathematically guaranteed at least a series draw, and a win in either of the final two games would seal an unassailable series victory. The two sides next meet on Friday at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui, followed by the final ODI on Sunday. With the series in hand and leadership refreshed, India will look to close out the white-ball chapter before turning attention to the Tests.
Point of View
A month when Hamilton and Wellington are notoriously wet. India's 2-0 lead flatters neither team — both wins came via DLS, meaning the series has yet to produce a completed 50-over contest. The captaincy handover to Shreyas Iyer is the more substantive storyline here: it is a signal that the Test squad management has already begun, and India's white-ball fringe players will get a genuine audition in the final two games while the Test regulars rest. Whether Iyer can consolidate his ODI position ahead of a busy home calendar is a subplot worth watching.
NationPress
10 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the India vs New Zealand 3rd ODI abandoned?
The 3rd ODI at Seddon Park, Hamilton was abandoned on 10 November due to persistent rain and a wet outfield, with no ball bowled. Even after the toss, fresh showers returned within minutes, and the groundsmen would have needed 30 to 45 minutes of dry weather to ready the pitch — time that was not available before the 20-over cut-off deadline.
What is the current score in the India vs New Zealand ODI series?
India lead the five-match ODI series 2-0 after the third game was washed out. The first ODI in Auckland was won by India by five wickets under DLS, and the second in Wellington was also awarded to India via DLS.
Who is captaining India in the remaining ODIs?
Shreyas Iyer has taken over the captaincy from Shubman Gill for the final two ODIs. Gill and other red-ball specialists in the touring squad have shifted their focus to preparing for the upcoming two-match Test series.
When and where is the next India vs New Zealand ODI?
The 4th ODI is scheduled for Friday at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui, with the 5th and final ODI to follow on Sunday.
How has rain affected the India vs New Zealand ODI series overall?
All three ODIs played so far have been disrupted by rain. The first and second games were completed under the DLS method, while the third was abandoned entirely without a ball bowled — making it a series defined as much by weather as by cricket.
