Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey

New Zealand vs India 3rd ODI Preview Dream11

Thumping in first ODI. Thumping in the second.

Nothing has gone right for New Zealand in this highly-anticipated ODI series. They needed things to go right in the second ODI, but from the first ball where Rohit Sharma edged through a vacant first slip region, the Black Caps were always playing catch up. A total of 324 is perhaps one they would have taken when India’s top three looked on song, but they once again lost far too many wickets too quickly. Can they keep the series alive?

The perfect scenario awaits India. A win here gives them the series, and the luxury of having captain Virat Kohli resting from two dead rubbers. The Indians were good in their recent series in Australia, but they have gone to another level here, dismantling a good New Zealand side twice. Hardik Pandya returns, and India’s top three look in ominous touch, with no sign of holding up. With the bowlers also on song, will they prove too good for the third time in a row?

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Key to a New Zealand win

New Zealand have been unable to get early wickets, in conjunction with losing too many wickets of their own up top. This has put them on the back foot from the get go, and they are finding out the hard way that India are a tough side to catch. Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson and Doug Bracewell have to get the better of at least two of India’s top three, limiting deliveries too wide and too straight in a display that has to be of both discipline and venom. It is a tough ask, but if New Zealand are to stay alive in this series, they they need to have a shot at India’s middle order as soon as possible.

Also, seven of New Zealand’s top eight reached double figures on Saturday, with just one half century. That was number eight Doug Bracewell, with the game well and truly over, which places significant onus on the top four of Guptill, Munro, Williamson and Taylor to deliver. Martin Guptill had a lot of luck, but only managed a score of 15, highlighting his struggles, along with the remaining three who just haven’t seemed in the best of control. They simply must deliver on the third ODI, putting New Zealand in a position where the likes of Colin de Grandhomme (or Mitchell Santner) and Doug Bracewell can launch. Can the Black Caps get through the opening burst from Kumar and Shami unscathed? How well will they play the wrist spinners? With the series now on the line, they’ll have to play very well.

Key to an India win

Apart from a little flat spot in the death overs, India were near perfect in the second ODI. Their top three, especially the openers, set up a really strong platform, in which MS Dhoni was able to play with freedom. The form of Ambati Rayudu, despite his 47, still remains a bit of a worry, but the more freedom he’s allowed to play with thanks to the top three, the better. A fruitless opening 10 overs or so for New Zealand can have further doubts seep through into the minds of a side that has been beaten soundly two games in a row. Will India’s batting fire once more?

Also, if India can get better of New Zealand’s top four, they will again pile the pressure on the likes of Tom Latham and Henry Nicholls to play the rebuilding role. The Indians just haven’t given New Zealand anything to feast on this series, and the test here will be displaying the same discipline and consistency from match to match. There is a lot to like about the structure of India’s bowling attack in a World Cup year, and with Hardik Pandya back, they can lay down another big marker with Jasprit Bumrah still to return.

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Possible Playing 11

Does Mitch Santner come back? What about Tim Southee? There is a lot to think about for New Zealand.

New Zealand Possible Playing 11: 1. Martin Guptill, 2. Colin Munro, 3. Kane Williamson (c), 4. Ross Taylor, 5. Tom Latham (wk), 6. Henry Nicholls, 7. Mitchell Santner/Colin de Grandhomme, 8. Doug Bracewell, 9. Ish Sodhi/Tim Southee, 10. Lockie Feguson, 11. Trent Boult

Hardik Pandya is back for India, and will slot in the XI in place of Vijay Shankar. India will field a near full-strength side, with Jasprit Bumrah to return in the next series.

India Possible Playing 11: 1. Rohit Sharma, 2. Shikhar Dhawan, 3. Virat Kohli (capt), 4. Ambati Rayudu, 5. Kedar Jadhav, 6. MS Dhoni (wk), 7. Hardik Pandya, 8. Kuldeep Yadav, 9. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 10. Mohammed Shami, 11. Yuzvendra Chahal

Dream11 Prediction

Stats and Facts

• India have won their last four ODIs, beating Australia twice and New Zealand twice.
• India have taken 345 wickets in the middle overs (10-40) since World Cup 2015. This is the most of any side.
• New Zealand have not lost three straight matches in the same series at home in nearly seven years (March 2012).

Match Prediction

New Zealand’s two losses shouldn’t make anyone forget the talent they have in their side.

However, India are on another level at the moment. On form and confidence, India will win and take the series with two games to spare.

Thanks for reading!

Opinion: Does the MRF “Chase Master” make the list? Top 10 Cricket Bats of 2019!

Also read: Looking for a bit of a laugh? West Indies vs England 1st Test Player Ratings!

New Zealand vs India 3rd ODI Preview Dream11

New Zealand vs India 3rd ODI Preview Dream11