The India-new zealand 3rd ODI, the decisive match of the three-game One Day International series, delivered high drama and electric moments right from the opening overs at the iconic Holkar Stadium in Indore on Saturday. Cricket fans witnessed a breathtaking display of athleticism from veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, whose sensational diving catch sent shockwaves through the stadium and underlined India’s dominance in the early phase of the contest.
With the series delicately poised, both teams entered the third ODI knowing that every session would matter. India captain Shubman Gill won the toss and made a bold call to bowl first, banking on early assistance for the pacers and the threat of dew later in the evening. His decision was quickly vindicated as India’s bowlers struck at regular intervals, leaving New Zealand under pressure in the opening spell.
Early Breakthroughs Put New Zealand on the Back Foot
New Zealand’s innings began on a shaky note, with the visitors losing their first wicket in the very first over. Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh delivered a perfect inswinger to trap Henry Nicholls, rattling the stumps and setting the tone for India’s aggressive start.
Just moments later, debutant pacer Harshit Rana added to New Zealand’s woes by dismissing Devon Conway, who edged one to the slips where Rohit Sharma made no mistake. Conway’s dismissal marked another chapter in Rana’s growing confidence, as he has now removed the New Zealand opener in three consecutive ODIs.
At the end of the second over, New Zealand were reeling at 5 for 2, a disastrous start in a must-win encounter.
Young-Mitch Partnership Offers Brief Resistance
Following the early collapse, Will Young and Daryl Mitchell steadied the innings with a composed partnership. They rotated the strike effectively and punished loose deliveries to rebuild New Zealand’s innings. The pair crossed the 50-run partnership mark in the 12th over, offering hope to the visiting side.
Young, in particular, looked fluent, mixing caution with controlled aggression. Mitchell supported him well, showing maturity and patience under pressure.
By the 11th over, New Zealand had crossed the 50-run mark, reaching 50 for 2, signaling a brief recovery.
Jadeja’s Moment of Magic Changes the Game
Just when New Zealand seemed to be regaining control, the match turned dramatically in the 13th over. Harshit Rana, returning for another spell, bowled a short-of-a-length delivery that Young attempted to guide behind point.
What followed was nothing short of extraordinary.
Ravindra Jadeja, stationed in the deep, sprinted to his right, launched himself into the air, and completed a stunning full-length diving catch. The 37-year-old all-rounder showcased incredible reflexes, agility, and commitment, proving once again why he remains one of the finest fielders in world cricket.
Will Young departed after scoring 30 runs, and with his wicket fell a crucial 50-plus run partnership, swinging momentum firmly back in India’s favor.
The Holkar Stadium erupted as teammates rushed to congratulate Jadeja, while Harshit Rana celebrated his second wicket of the match.
New Zealand Scorecard at 15 Overs
At the 15-over mark, New Zealand found themselves struggling at 71 for 3, with the pressure mounting rapidly.
New Zealand Score Summary (After 15 Overs)
| Overs | Score | Wickets Lost | Batters at Crease |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15.0 | 71/3 | Nicholls, Conway, Young | Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips |
India’s Bowling Attack Shows Depth and Discipline
India’s bowling unit delivered a clinical performance in the first half of the innings. Arshdeep Singh’s early breakthrough set the tone, while Harshit Rana impressed with his accuracy and composure under pressure.
Captain Shubman Gill managed his bowling resources smartly, introducing Mohammed Siraj after seven overs to maintain intensity. Siraj’s pace and movement kept the batters cautious, while Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja prepared to tighten the screws in the middle overs.
Playing XIs for the India-New Zealand 3rd ODI
India Playing XI
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Shubman Gill (C) | Top-order Batter |
| Rohit Sharma | Opener |
| Virat Kohli | Senior Batter |
| Shreyas Iyer | Middle-order Batter |
| KL Rahul (WK) | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| Ravindra Jadeja | All-rounder |
| Nitish Kumar Reddy | All-rounder |
| Kuldeep Yadav | Spinner |
| Harshit Rana | Fast Bowler |
| Mohammed Siraj | Fast Bowler |
| Arshdeep Singh | Left-arm Fast Bowler |
New Zealand Playing XI
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Michael Bracewell (C) | All-rounder |
| Devon Conway | Opener |
| Will Young | Top-order Batter |
| Henry Nicholls | Batter |
| Daryl Mitchell | All-rounder |
| Glenn Phillips | Batter |
| Mitch Hay (WK) | Wicketkeeper |
| Jack Foulkes | All-rounder |
| Kyle Jamieson | Fast Bowler |
| Christian Clarke | Bowler |
| Jaden Lennox | Bowler |
Head-to-Head Record Favors India
India entered the India-new zealand 3rd ODI with a strong historical advantage, especially on home soil.
India vs New Zealand ODI Head-to-Head
| Category | Matches |
|---|---|
| Total ODIs Played | 122 |
| India Wins | 63 |
| New Zealand Wins | 51 |
| No Result | 7 |
| Tied Matches | 1 |
ODIs in India
| Venue | Matches | India Wins | NZ Wins | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | 42 | 32 | 9 | 1 |
India’s dominance at home made them clear favorites heading into the decider.
Key Performers of the Series So Far
Top Indian Batter
| Player | Matches | Runs | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| KL Rahul | 2 | 141 | 124.77 |
Top Indian Bowler
| Player | Matches | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prasidh Krishna | 2 | 3 | 6.05 |
Top New Zealand Batter
| Player | Matches | Runs | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daryl Mitchell | 2 | 215 | 114.36 |
Top New Zealand Bowler
| Player | Matches | Wickets | Best Figures | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyle Jamieson | 2 | 5 | 4/41 | 5.55 |
Pitch and Weather Conditions Favor High-Scoring Game
According to Holkar Stadium’s chief pitch curator, the surface was prepared using black soil, traditionally known for assisting batters once they settle in. While early movement was expected for fast bowlers, the pitch was predicted to flatten out as the game progressed.
Dew was also expected to play a key role in the second innings, potentially making chasing easier under lights.
Indore Weather on Match Day
| Condition | Details |
|---|---|
| Weather | Clear and Sunny |
| Temperature Range | 13°C – 28°C |
| Rain Probability | None |
| Dew Factor | High in Evening |
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli Set for Extended Break
A notable subplot in the India-new zealand 3rd ODI was the presence of senior stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who are expected to stay away from international cricket for the next six months following this match.
Having already stepped away from Test and T20I formats, the duo is expected to return only during India’s ODI tour of England later this year.
Bracewell Confident Despite Toss Loss
New Zealand captain Michael Bracewell admitted at the toss that his side would have preferred to bowl first but remained optimistic about their chances.
He highlighted the batting-friendly nature of the pitch and expressed confidence in his unchanged playing XI, emphasizing New Zealand’s ambition to secure their first-ever ODI series win in India.
Conclusion: India Take Firm Control Early
The India-new zealand 3rd ODI has already delivered unforgettable moments, with Ravindra Jadeja’s extraordinary catch standing out as the defining highlight of the early phase. India’s disciplined bowling, sharp fielding, and smart captaincy have placed them in a commanding position, while New Zealand face an uphill task to recover and stay competitive.
As the match progresses, all eyes will remain on how the middle overs unfold and whether New Zealand can counter India’s relentless pressure in this high-stakes series decider.
