Well, this is it from India's ODI series against New Zealand. We hope you liked our coverage. The two teams now face each other in a five‑match T20I series, starting January 21. Do join us for those games. You can also stay connected to NDTV Sports to follow the U19 World Cup 2026 and much more from the world of sports. For now, goodbye!

Daryl Mitchell has been named the Player of the Match as well as the Player of the Series. He emerged as the top-scorer with 352 runs across three matches at an averege of 176.

"It's really nice to contribute to the team. To win here in India is special. As a group, the way we built partnerships, it's nice to be up there. I am trying to stay in the present and hopefully make the right decisions. I love playing for my country. All those years in domestic cricket helped me," he said.

"After the first match, coming here 1-1, the way we played - disappointed. There are areas we need to look back, reflect and do better. (On the positives) The way Virat is batting is always is a plus. The way Harshit has batted in this series, batting at No. 8 is not easy. The way he stepped up and the way the fast bowlers bowled in this series was good as well," said India captain Shubman Gill. 

Talking about giving eight overs of bowling to Nitish Reddy, Gill added, "Keeping the World Cup in mind, we want to give him opportunities and we want to give him enough overs and see what kind of combinations work for us and what kind of deliveries work for him."

Harshit Rana picked six wickets in the series, but his best came with the bat in the chase of the third ODI against New Zealand. The all-rounder came in at number eight and scored 52 off 43, with the help of two fours and as many sixes.

India lost the series to New Zealand, but the silver lining for them would be the fact that Virat Kohli continues to score heaps of runs. After being named the Player of the Series against South Africa, Kohli hit 240 runs across three matches at an average of 80 against the Black Caps. He still has the same hunger in his eyes to do better every single day. Let's hope it stays the same!

Kuldeep Yadav has been run out, and that finishes the game in New Zealand's favour. The Black Caps have won the game by 41 runs. With it, they also register their first‑ever ODI series victory in India.

NZ 337/8(50)

IND 296(46)

Virat Kohli's fightback ends here! He has mistimed this one, and it goes into the hands of the long-on fielder. This might be the game for New Zealand. India need 46 runs in 26 balls, while the visitors need just one wicket to finish things off.

IND 292-9 (45.4)

Virat Kohli has smashed Kristian Clarke for consecutive fours. The first one went through the right of deep mid-wicket while the second one went through the backward square leg. India need 46 runs in 28 balls.

After dismissing Harshit Rana in the over, Zakary Foulkes also claimed the wicket of Mohammed Siraj. India find themselves in trouble, with all their hopes pinned on Virat Kohli, who is batting on 114 off 100. They need 61 runs in 36 balls.

IND 277-8 (44)

Harshit Rana falls for 52 off 43 balls. He mistimed this one in front of long-on, and Henry Nicholls took a brilliant catch under pressure. He ran forward and put in a dive to complete the catch. The partnership of 99 runs off 69 balls ends here.

Harshit Rana c Nicholls b Foulkes 52(43) 

IND 277-7 (43.4)

Harshit Rana hits Zakary Foulkes for a maximum and gets to his maiden international fifty in 41 balls.

IND 277-6 (43.2)

This is a stunning shot from Harshit Rana for a SIX. He has left New Zealand clueless with hsi sensational stroke play here. Harshit came down the track and smashed Kyle Jamieson for a biggie over the cow corner. India need 68 runs in 42 balls.

IND 270-6 (43)

The match is on, indicates Virat Kohli with this shot. It was a lower full toss from Kyle Jamieson, and Kohli smacked it over long-off for a SIX. India continue to fight hard in this chase of 338 against New Zealand. They need 77 runs in 45 balls.

FOUR! That is another good shot from Harshit Rana. He is doing a brilliant job here. The mid-off was inside the ring, and Rana lofted it over the fielder for the boundary. India need 85 runs in 47 balls.

IND 253-6 (42.1)

Cometh the hour, cometh the man! The chase master has scored yet another hundred for India. It is the 85th international century for Virat Kohli and his record‑extending 54th in ODIs. Kohli has scored his 7th hundreds against New Zealand — the most by any batter against the side in ODIs.

IND 230-6 (40)

Jayden Lennox conceded only two runs in his ninth over. India need 117 runs in 66 balls. The asking rate for the hosts is 10.64. Virat Kohli will be on strike at the start of the next over; he needs only four runs to score his ton.

IND 221-6 (39)

Zakary Foulkes has been brought into the attack, and he starts with a poor delivery. Virat Kohli makes sure he pays a heavy price for it. It was a short‑of‑length ball on the pads, and Kohli nonchalantly flicked it away for a biggie through backward square leg. India need 126 runs in 77 balls.

IND 212-6 (37.1)

Oh my God! That is a stunning shot from Harshit Rana for a SIX! Glenn Phillips bowled it in the slot, and Harshit Rana played his slog-sweep to perfection. The ball went over long-on for a biggie.

IND 206-6 (36.4)

Beautiful wrist work from Virat Kohli! Glenn Phillips bowled it short, and Kohli rocked back and pulled it away through square leg for a four. He keeps fighting for India along with Harshit Rana in this chase. The hosts need 139 runs in 82 balls.

IND 199-6 (36.2)

Virat Kohli manages to hit a boundary in this over. Glenn Phillips bowled it short, and Kohli hit it away through backward square leg for a four. A dot ball follows, and that will take Kohli off the strike again.

IND 187-6 (35)

The wicket of Ravindra Jadeja has hurt India badly. New batter Harshit Rana has failed to rotate the strike properly, scoring just two runs off the 10 balls he has faced. You can't expect much from a number 8 batter. Virat Kohli is unbeaten on 73 at the other end, but the problem for India is the rising required run rate, which has gone up to 9.81.

IND 181-6 (34)

India are losing the plot here despite Virat Kohli being solid at one end. Ravindra Jadeja tried to take on Jayden Lennox, one of the best bowlers for New Zealand so far, and paid the price for it. Jadeja smashed the ball straight into the hands of the fielder at deep midwicket.

Jadeja c Will Young b Jayden Lennox 12(16)

IND 178-6 (32.1)

The Black Caps have put India’s scoring in check since the wicket of Nitish Reddy. The chasing side has managed to score only 21 runs off the last five overs. The pressure is building as the asking rate is close to 9.

IND 178-5 (32)

Ravindra Jadeja nearly got himself run out there! He tucked the ball to the right of short mid-wicket and asked Virat Kohli for a quick single. Kohli trusted his partner, but Jadeja found himself in trouble with Henry Nicholls collecting the ball and taking an aim at the stumps at the non-striker's end. To the Indian all-rounder's good luck, the ball missed the target.

IND 168-5 (29.4)

Big breakthrough for New Zealand! They have broken the 88-run partnership with the wicket of Nitish Reddy. It was a short-of-length ball from Kristian Clarke, and Reddy tried to pull it on the leg side. The extra pace saw Reddy mishit the ball to Will Young at short midwicket.

Nitish Reddy c Will Young b Kristian Clarke 53(57)

IND 159-5 (27.3)

26.4 - Nitish Reddy scored his half-century in 52 balls! He got there in style with a six over cow corner. Glenn Phillips overpitched it, and Reddy knelt down and slog-swept it for a biggie. The Indian all-rounder celebrated the feat with his famous 'Pushpa' style.

Nitish Reddy smashed a stunning SIX on the third ball of the over. Zakary Foulkes bowled it short on the body of the batter. The India star hooked it powerfully for a biggie over fine leg. Twelve came off the over.

IND 147-4 (26)

The duo of Virat Kohli and Nitish Reddy has added 64 runs off 73 balls for the fifth wicket so far. At the end of 25 overs, New Zealand were 119 for 3, while India have 135 runs on the board. The chasing team has lost just one extra wicket.

A single, and that is the 78th ODI fifty for Virat Kohli! He gets there in 51 balls. A crucial knock this has been from the chase master, but the team needs him to take it deep to stand a chance in this game.

IND 120-4 (22.2)

A boundary for India after a long gap! Daryl Mitchell was handed the ball, and he started off with a fuller off-cutter. Nitish Reddy read it well and smashed it over mid-off for a four. The fielders were interested, but the ball fell safely near the boundary line.

IND 102-4 (19.1)

Virat Kohli is nearing his fifty, while Nitish Reddy is also playing well from the other end. The duo has added 22 runs for the fifth wicket so far. They have their task cut out as India need 245 runs from this point. A big ask, this is, but definitely gettable on this track.

IND 93-4 (18)

New Zealand have tightened the noose on India. The asking rate for the hosts has gone to 7.5. This is an extremely tough chase for India now, considering they have lost four wickets. Virat Kohli is at one end, but he needs good support from the other end too. It is a big opportunity for Nitish Reddy; you play one memorable knock here and guarantee yourself a spot in upcoming ODI games for India.

IND 83-4 (16)

On the fifth ball of the over, Kristian Clarke outplayed Virat Kohli with an off-cutter. The ball hit Kohli on the front pad, but the impact was outside off-stump. Umpire Richard Illingworth declared it 'not out' over an LBW appeal, but New Zealand took it upstairs only to lose a review. As soon as the replays showed the impact outside off, the crowd booed the visiting team.

IND 78-4 (14)

KL Rahul is OUT! India are in huge trouble! They have lost four wickets for just 71 runs on the board. That is a soft dismissal from Rahul. The ball from Jayden Lennox gripped and turned, and KL Rahul handed an easy catch to Glenn Phillips at extra cover.

Rahul c Phillips b Jayden Lennox 1(6)

IND 71-4 (12.5)

Poor batting from Shreyas Iyer! He couldn’t get off to a quick start and tried to take the bowler on after playing some dot balls. It was a back‑of‑a‑length delivery outside off from Kristian Clarke, and Iyer handed it straight into the hands of long‑on.

Shreyas Iyer c Foulkes b Kristian Clarke 3(10) 

IND 68-3 (11.2)

Virat Kohli is toying around on this belter of a surface! This is vintage Kohli the crowd is witnessing. He smashed Kristian Clarke for a cracking drive through extra cover and then flicked the pacer towards the square leg for another boundary. Nine runs came off the over.

IND 66-2 (10)

That is a terrific shot from Virat Kohli for a four. He got just a bit of width outside off‑stump and drove it powerfully through the gap between the mid‑off and cover fielders. Kohli is batting brilliantly tonight.

IND 51-2 (7.5)

Shubman Gill has been bowled by Kyle Jamieson! That nipped back in and hit Gill’s front pad before crashing into the off‑stump. India are in some trouble now. They have lost both their openers early in this stiff chase of 338.

Gill b Jamieson 23(18)

IND 45-2 (6.4)

Wow! That is some shot from Virat Kohli! Zakary Foulkes bowled it short, and the India star was ready for it. He powerfully pulled it over deep mid‑wicket for a BIGGIE. This is a shot of the highest standard you will ever see! Even the commentators were left in awe.

IND 39-1 (5.5)

Shubman Gill took a single off the first ball before Virat Kohli was tested in the over from Kyle Jamieson. The India star played with soft hands but still found it hard to survive against Jamieson’s fast and swinging deliveries.

IND 29-1 (5)

Big wicket for New Zealand early in the innings! Rohit Sharma has handed a dolly to the fielder at mid‑on. He wanted to flick it over the man, but the bat twisted in his hands and he ended up giving an easy catch.

Rohit c Kristian Clarke b Foulkes 11(13)

IND 28-1 (4)

Oh, dear! That is a blunder from Mitchell Hay. Rohit Sharma had edged the Zakary Foulkes to the right of the New Zealand wicketkeeper.

IND 28-0 (3.5)

Shubman Gill is off to a flying start here! He has scored three fours in 11 balls, with the last two boundaries coming off this over from Kyle Jamieson. Both were scored on the leg side. The wicket is playing really nicely.

IND 23-0 (3)

While bowling the second ball of the over, Zakary Foulkes unintentionally clipped off the bails. He was loading up to deliver the ball, but his action saw the bails being dislodged before the ball was released. As a result, the umpire declared it a no‑ball, and Rohit Sharma got a free hit.

IND 14-0 (2)

Kyle Jamieson leaked a four on the very first ball but made a good comeback after that. He bowled five dot balls to Rohit Sharma to keep it an economical over. Zakary Foulkes will bowl from the other end.

IND 4-0 (1)

Rohit Sharma takes his guard, and captain Shubman Gill is at the other end. Kyle Jamieson will bowl the first over. Here we go… Jamieson starts with a fuller delivery outside off‑stump, and Rohit drives it away for a four through point.

India staged a decent comeback towards the end, but solid knocks from Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips ensured New Zealand stayed a bit ahead in the game. The Black Caps have set a 338‑run target for India. Is that be enough? Well, India’s innings will give us a better idea. For now, this track has been a belter, and expect it to remain that way — if not get even better — during India’s chase.

Ten runs came off the final over bowled by Mohammed Siraj. The pacer was hit for a six by Michael Bracewell, and he also leaked a four through byes in the over. New Zealand have put a pretty good total on the board.

NZ 337-8 (50)

OUT! Cleaned him up! Harshit Rana leaked runs in this over but nailed his yorker perfectly this time. Kristian Clarke shuffled and tried to play a lap shot but missed the ball completely. It rattled his stumps. New Zealand are eight down with six balls left in the innings.

NZ 327-8 (49)

47.4 - That is some shot from New Zealand captain Michael Bracewell for a SIX! It was a fuller ball from Arshdeep Singh, angling into the batter. Bracewell lofted it with a straight bat. The timing was so perfect that it went over the fielder at deep mid-wicket.

Zakary Foulkes is GONE! Arshdeep Singh went for a yorker, and Foulkes tried to play a reverse‑sweep on it. The batter found the short third fielder and lost his wicket. It was a good catch from Kuldeep Yadav.

Foulkes c Kuldeep Yadav b Arshdeep Singh 10(8)

NZ 304-7 (47.1)

OUT! Kuldeep Yadav has dismissed Mitchell Hay. The batter tried to play a reverse‑sweep but got hit on the front pad. The umpire raised his finger on the LBW appeal, and not even a review could save Hay.

Mitchell Hay lbw b Kuldeep Yadav 2(6)

NZ 286-6 (45.2)

Daryl Mitchell is OUT! A slower bouncer from Mohammed Siraj does the trick. He tried to pull it to the leg side but found the fielder at deep square leg. As Mitchell was walking back to the dugout, Virat Kohli clapped for him before funnily pushing him out of the boundary line.

Mitchell c Kuldeep Yadav b Siraj 137(131) 

NZ 283-5 (44.1)

WICKET! A huge breakthrough for India! Arshdeep Singh has removed Glenn Phillips. The 219‑run partnership for the fourth wicket has finally been broken! It was a fuller ball from Arshdeep, wide of Phillips, and the batter got a thick outside edge on it. KL Rahul took the catch behind the stumps.

NZ 277-4 (43.1)

Glenn Phillips slams a century in 83 balls! What a knock from him! New Zealand are right on top of this game, with both their batters scoring tons and still out there in the middle. They still have eight overs left in the innings. A total of 350 seems quite possible for the Black Caps from this point.

NZ 266-3 (42)

19 runs came off this over from Kuldeep Yadav. He was hit for a six on the first ball and continued to leak runs. A no-ball added to the spinner's troubles. After Daryl Mitchell’s first-ball six, Glenn Phillips also hit a four and a maximum.

NZ 257-3 (41)

Daryl Mitchell has hit a SIX this time! New Zealand have put their foot on the accelerator. Mitchell got a half-volley outside off-stump from Kuldeep Yadav, and he smashed it down the ground for a maximum.

NZ 244-3 (40.1)

SIX! In the slot from Ravindra Jadeja, and Glenn Phillips has smashed it away for a biggie over long-on. The batter tried to create room for himself by moving to the leg side. Jadeja tried to follow him but ended up serving a half-volley. It is an 82-metre six.

NZ 232-3 (39.2)

The duo of Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips has added 163 runs off 155 balls for the fourth wicket so far. India badly need a breakthrough to make a comeback in this game. Kuldeep Yadav has been brought back into the attack.

NZ 221-3 (38)

35.4 - A single and there is the century for Daryl Mitchell! He gets to the triple digits in 106 balls. This is the ninth ODI ton for the New Zealand star, who just loves batting against India.

FIFTY!!! Glenn Phillips takes a single on Nitish Kumar Reddy's delivery and completes his half-century. It is his sixth half-century in the ODIs for New Zealand and he brings it up in 53 balls. 

NZ 180/3 (32.3 overs)

Nitish Reddy is having a terrible outing with the ball today. The duo of Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips is comfortably dealing in boundaries against him. In the previous over, he leaked eight runs. 

NZ 169/3 (31 overs)

Desperate for wickets, skipper Shubman Gill finally turns up to the experienced Ravindra Jadeja. However, Jadeja conceded seven runs in the first over with Daryl Mitchell hitting a boundary. With this, Mitchell is now inching towards his century. What a performance from the Kiwi star. 

NZ 159/3 (30 overs)

Nitish Rana faces the wrath of New Zealand batters. The duo of Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips scored 11 runs in his previous over. This included two brilliant boundaries from Phillips. With this, Phillips also breached the 40-run mark and nearing his half-century. 

NZ 152/3 (29 overs)

FOUR!!! Glenn Phillips gets a good boundary on Mohammed Siraj's delivery. Siraj pulls his length back and Phillips goes hard on the pull. Interestingly, it is the first boundary from Phillips' bat today. 

NZ 129/3 (26.4 overs)

Ohhh!!! New Zealand batters Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips have taken an unofficial break. They can be seen taking a moment. However, the on-field umpire is not looking very pleased with their gesture. 

NZ 119/3 (25 overs)

Glenn Phillips survives a big scare on Nitish Kumar Reddy's delivery. Playing a mis-timed shot, the ball goes up in the air as Harshit Rana comes running from the deep square leg. He makes a terrific effort but fails to grab the catch. Seeing this, Virat Kohli gives a disappointing reaction. 

NZ 116/3 (23/5 overs)

As New Zealand are moving ahead strongly in the game, India head coach Gautam Gambhir comes down to have a word with spinner Kuldeep Yadav. India need a wicket at the earliest, in order to control the run flow. Both Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips have completed their fifty-run partnership.

NZ 108/3 (23.1 overs)

5 - Kane Williamson (2014)

4* - Daryl Mitchell (2025-26)

3 - Glenn Turner (1975-76)

3 - Stephen Fleming ( 1994-95)

3 - Roger Twose (1999)

3 - Ross Taylor (2019-20)

FIFTY!!! Daryl Mitchell hits a boundary on Kuldeep Yadav's delivery and brings up his half-century in style. It is his 13th ODI fifty for New Zealand and he completes it in 56 balls. Terrific batting from Mitchell. 

NZ 101/3 (21 overs)

Daryl Mitchell has breached the 40-run mark and inching towards his half-century. He is playing a smart knock and his partnership with Glenn Phillips is proving to be a game-changer for three-down New Zealand. 

NZ 89/3 (18 overs)

Shubman Gill introduces spin in the attack as he hands over the ball to Kuldeep Yadav. However, the strategy backfires as Daryl Mitchell hits a brilliant boundary on the first delivery. Mitchell dances down the pitch, gets close to the pitch of the ball and lofts it handsomely over the bowler's head for an 83m six. 

NZ 81/3 (16.1 overs)

After the drinks break, skipper Shubman Gill handed over the ball to all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy. In his first over, Reddy conceded just four runs as India are looking for another wicket at the earliest. Three-down New Zealand are relying on a strong partnership between Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips. 

NZ 75/3 (16 overs)

Good over from Mohammed Siraj as he controls the run flow. In his previous over, he conceded just three runs as Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips aim for some boundaries. 

NZ 64/3 (14 overs)

OUT!!! What a catch from Ravindra Jadeja as India finally break the solid partnership between Will Young and Devon Conway. Playing a shot on Harshit Rana's delivery, Will Young tries to go for a boundary. However, the Jadeja intervenes at the backward point and takes a sharp catch. What a dismissal as Young departs for 30. 

NZ 58/3 (12.1 overs)

OHH!!! Virat Kohli fails to stop a shot from going across the boundary line. Daryl Mitchell hits it hard on Harshit Rana's delivery. Kohli, placed at the mid-off, tries to stop it but the ball still dodges him and goes for a four. Kohli is visibly livid with himself. 

NZ 51/2 (10.1 overs)

The partnership between Will Young and Daryl Mitchell is taking a fiery route now as India bowlers are desperately looking for a wicket. In the previous over of Arshdeep Singh, the duo scored nine runs. This included two boundaries from Will Young. New Zealand need more of such over to be on top in the game. 

NZ 42/2 (9 overs)

Despite getting two early wickets, India skipper Shubman Gill changes the strategy and hands over the ball to Mohammed Siraj. As Will Young and Daryl Mitchell are standing solid, Gill introduces a new bowler to break this budding partnership. However, Siraj concedes just a single in his first over.

NZ 33/2 (8 overs)

New Zealand are slowly recovering from the setback of losing the wickets of their openers early in the game. Will Young and Daryl Mitchell are forming a good partnership and bringing their side back into the game. In the previous over of Arshdeep Singh, the duo scored five runs, which included a boundary from Mitchell. 

NZ 32/2 (7 overs)

SIX!! WOAH! New Zealand are slowly gaining the momentum as Will Young and Daryl Mitchell are forming a good partnership. In the previous over of Harshit Rana, Will Young hits a terrific maximum. Using the pace, Young hammers it hard over the backward point as the ball lands straight into the crowd. 

NZ 27/2 (6 overs)

FOUR!!! Will Young hits a brilliant boundary on Harshit Rana's delivery. Back of a length and well wide of off, Will Young stands tall, gets onto his toes and punches it into the gap past cover for a boundary. New Zealand need more of these shots. 

NZ 15/2 (3.3 overs)

Arshdeep Singh is looking in good touch with the ball today. After getting a precious wicket in the first over, he delivers once again and bowls a maiden. After losing the wickets of their openers, New Zealand currently have Will Young and Daryl Mitchell at the crease. They are looking for a stable partnership now. 

NZ 11/2 (3 overs)

What a mistake from Kuldeep Yadav as India fail to pick up their third wicket of the day. Will Young plays a shot off Harshit Rana’s delivery and calls for a single. Suddenly, he backs out of it, but Daryl Mitchell had already crossed halfway down the pitch. Kuldeep Yadav collects the ball and throws it at the stumps but misses. It looked like a straightforward run-out opportunity.

NZ 11/2 (2 overs)

OUT! Harshit Rana joins the party on the first delivery of the second over as he removes Devon Conway for 5. Back of a length delivery, Conway gets his edge to the ball as it travels towards Rohit Sharma at the first slip. Rohit makes no mistake and takes a good catch as India get their second wicket. 

NZ 5/2 (1.1 overs)

OUT!!! What a moment for pacer Arshdeep Singh as he provides India with a big breakthrough in the first over itself. After getting hit for a boundary by Devon Conway, Arshdeep cleans up Henry Nicholls in style. The ball hits the edge and then rattles up the stumps. First wicket gone for New Zealand. 

NZ 5/1 (0.4 overs)

The third and final ODI match between India and New Zealand finally begins. For New Zealand, Devon Conway and Henry Nicholls have started the proceedings. On the other hand, Arshdeep Singh will be bowling the first over for India. 

"Dimensions - 62m and 63m square boundaries, and straight down is 71m. It looks an absolute belter. We don't see this grass too often in India, but underneath, it's rock hard. Great sound, rock hard. All the grass does is it gives some nice pace onto the bat. It won't go sideways, it's not fresh grass. This grass makes sure that the top soil won't crumble. This again looks like a very high-scoring affair. Very little dew factor later in the evening," reckon Deep Dasgupta and Simon Doull.

New Zealand (Playing XI): Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Hay(w), Michael Bracewell(c), Zakary Foulkes, Kyle Jamieson, Kristian Clarke, Jayden Lennox

India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill(c), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj

"We would have bowled first, but I think it looks like a good surface and I guess we're going to quickly shift to the mindset of batting first. That's right, it's a big exciting opportunity for us to win a series over here in one-day format. I think they've shown good temperament. They're getting used to international cricket and have made a good fist of it so far (on the new faces). With the series on the line you want to be able to do that stuff under pressure. So I'm looking forward to seeing how they go again tonight. No changes from the last game," said Michael Bracewell. 

"We will bowl first. That's what we spoke (on the decision to bolw), batting first, New Zealand put us under pressure. One of the decisions we're bowling first is that the surface looks good, don't expect a lot of dew, runs on the board would let us chase better. Need to vary our lengths in the middle-overs, that's what we want to do. One change, Arshdeep comes in place of Prasidh," said Shubman Gill. 

India skipper Shubman Gill wins the toss, opts to bowl against New Zealand in the third and final ODI of the three-match series on Sunday in Indore. 

The choice between Nitish Kumar Reddy and Ayush Badoni is effectively a debate between depth and control. Reddy adds seam-bowling insurance, though used sparingly, and late-innings power, while Badoni offers a tighter technique against spin and composure in the middle overs.

Veteran India batter Virat Kohli is on the verge of a historic feat. He needs just one century to register the record of most tons in the ODIs against New Zealand. Currently, he is levelled with Virender Sehwag at the No.1 spot with six centuries each. He needs one ton to beat them both. 

Much of the spotlight will be on Rohit Sharma, who is enduring a lean run in this series. His ultra-aggressive approach at the top has been a defining feature of India's recent ODI philosophy, but repeated early dismissals has added a bit of pressure. Virat Kohli, meanwhile, remains the fulcrum around which India’s ODI batting revolves. With India’s next 50-over assignment for senior players likely to come in July during the tour of England, the fans would hope for another RoKo show.

For New Zealand, the context is equally compelling. The Black Caps have toured India for bilateral ODIs since 1989 but have never won a series in India and this is arguably their best opportunity to break that barren run.

India have not lost a bilateral ODI series at home since March 2019, when Australia overturned a 0-2 deficit to win 3–2, including the decider in Delhi. But that history is now firmly on the line.

This match is going to be an interesting one as veteran India batter Rohit Sharma will aim to achieve a big feat. He need two more sixes to register the most number of maximums in ODIs against New Zealand. Currently, the spot is taken by former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi with 50 sixes in 38 ODIs against the Kiwis. Rohit has got 49 sixes in 32 matches.

India's absolute dominance at home will come under examination when they meet a determined New Zealand in the decisive third ODI at the high-scoring Holkar Stadium in Indore on Sunday, with the three-match series locked at 1-1.

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the third and final ODI of three-match series between India and New Zealand on Sunday, straight from the Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore. Stay tuned for all the live updates.