Will India Triumph with Arshdeep in 3rd ODI Against NZ?
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Synopsis
As India prepares for a crucial decider against New Zealand, all eyes are on the return of left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh. With the series tied at 1-1, captain Shubman Gill's decision to bowl first could prove pivotal in this high-stakes match at the Holkar Stadium. Will India maintain their unbeaten record here?
Key Takeaways
- Arshdeep Singh returns to the Indian lineup.
- India opts to bowl first after winning the toss.
- Series is tied at 1-1.
- Holkar Stadium is known for its favorable batting conditions.
- New Zealand's squad remains unchanged from their last win.
Indore, Jan 18 (NationPress) India has included left-arm fast bowler Arshdeep Singh in their lineup as captain Shubman Gill won the toss and opted to bowl first against New Zealand in the decisive match of the series at Holkar Stadium on Sunday.
The three-match series is tied at 1-1, setting the stage for an exhilarating showdown between India and New Zealand. After securing the toss, Gill confirmed Arshdeep's return to the playing eleven, replacing right-arm pacer Prasidh Krishna.
“We discussed the decision to bowl first. Previously, when batting first, New Zealand put us under pressure. One reason for choosing to bowl is that the pitch appears to be in good condition, with minimal dew expected. Having runs on the board will facilitate a better chase. We aim to vary our lengths during the middle overs,” Gill explained.
New Zealand's captain Michael Bracewell stated that his team remains unchanged from their victory in Rajkot. “We would have opted to bowl first as well, but it looks like a solid batting pitch. This is a decider and a thrilling opportunity for us to claim our first ODI series win here in India,” he remarked.
India draws confidence from their undefeated record at this historic venue. The square boundaries measure 62m and 63m respectively, with a straight boundary at 71m.
The black soil pitch, as per the pitch report, is firm and solid beneath, with a grass cover likely to assist fast bowlers. However, with limited seam movement expected, batsmen are anticipated to relish conditions conducive to stroke play, hinting at a high-scoring contest in the series decider.
Playing XIs
India: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, and Mohammed Siraj
New Zealand: Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Hay (wk), Michael Bracewell (captain), Zakary Foulkes, Kyle Jamieson, Kristian Clarke, and Jayden Lennox
Point of View
This match represents a significant opportunity for India to showcase its cricketing prowess on home soil. The tension of a tied series elevates the stakes, and the inclusion of Arshdeep Singh could be a game-changer. As always, we stand with the nation in support of our team.
NationPress
19/01/2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does the 3rd ODI start?
The 3rd ODI is scheduled to start at 1:30 PM IST.
Where is the 3rd ODI being held?
The match is being held at Holkar Stadium in Indore.
Who is the captain of India for this match?
Shubman Gill is the captain of India for this match.
What is the current series score?
The series is currently tied at 1-1.
Who has replaced Prasidh Krishna in the squad?
Arshdeep Singh has replaced Prasidh Krishna in the squad.
