The tension in the air at Indore is thick enough to cut with a dull knife. Honestly, nobody expected the script to flip this way after the opening match in Vadodara. If you’ve been tracking the live IND vs NZ action, you know we aren't just looking at a regular bilateral game anymore; it’s a full-blown scrap for momentum. New Zealand, arguably a "new-look" side without some of their biggest legends, just gave India a massive reality check in Rajkot.
One-one. Level.
It’s the kind of scoreline that makes the third ODI at Holkar Stadium feel like a World Cup final for the fans currently flooding into the stands. India looked untouchable for a minute there, but Daryl Mitchell had other plans. His unbeaten 131 in the second game didn't just level the series; it silenced a crowd that thought 284 was plenty. Now, the live IND vs NZ buzz is all about whether the Indian bowling attack can actually find its teeth before the T20s kick off on January 21.
The Arshdeep Elephant in the Room
Why is Arshdeep Singh still sitting on the bench? Seriously. Ravichandran Ashwin asked it on social media, and basically every fan in the country is wondering the same thing. India’s current pace trio—Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna—has been getting milked for runs like a Sunday morning cow.
In Rajkot, New Zealand chased down 285 with seven wickets and 15 balls to spare. That’s not a close game. That’s a thumping. Harshit Rana has been useful with the bat, sure, but his economy rate is north of six. Prasidh Krishna went for 60 in the first game and didn't fare much better in the second.
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You’ve got a left-arm pacer like Arshdeep, who was swinging the ball around in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, just... watching? The team management says "workload management." Ashwin says "nonsense." It’s a classic Indian cricket debate where the logic of resting players clashes with the immediate need to not lose a series at home.
Kohli, Records, and the Rajkot Ghost
Virat Kohli is doing Virat Kohli things again. He just blew past Sachin Tendulkar’s record for the most runs against New Zealand in ODI cricket. He also became the second-highest run-scorer in international history, trailing only the Little Master himself.
But there's a weird vibe. In the first ODI, he fell for 93. In the second, he looked set and then—poof—gone for 23. It felt strangely like that 2023 World Cup final dismissal. An inside edge, a stunned silence, and suddenly the middle order is exposed.
Shubman Gill is back in the captaincy saddle for this series, and while he’s making fifties, he isn't "finishing" things. KL Rahul is the one actually holding the roof up. His 112 in Rajkot was a masterclass in middle-order stabilization, but even a century from your keeper doesn't matter if the bowlers can't defend nearly 300.
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The Kiwi Resilience
We need to talk about Michael Bracewell's captaincy. This isn't the New Zealand team of five years ago. They’re scrappy. They’re using guys like Kristian Clarke and Zak Foulkes—names that many casual fans might not even recognize yet.
And yet, they’re winning.
Daryl Mitchell is basically the final boss of this series. He’s been scoring at will, finding gaps that don't seem to exist, and neutralizing Kuldeep Yadav. If India wants to win the decider, they have to find a way to get Mitchell out before he crosses the 30-run mark. Once he’s set, he’s like a wall.
Why the Third ODI is a Nightmare for Bowlers
Indore’s Holkar Stadium is a tiny graveyard for bowlers. The boundaries are short. The pitch is usually as flat as a pancake.
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- Average scores here often push 320.
- The dew factor in January is massive.
- Spinners struggle to grip the ball after 7:00 PM.
If India loses the toss and has to bowl second, it’s going to be a long night. The live IND vs NZ updates will likely be a flurry of sixes and "lost ball" signals. We might see Ayush Badoni get a look-in too, especially with Washington Sundar ruled out with that rib injury. Badoni is a wild card, but at this point, India needs a spark.
What to Watch For Next
The series decider on January 18 is the main event, but don't sleep on the T20 transition. The five-match T20I series starts on January 21 in Nagpur.
If India loses this ODI series 2-1, the pressure on Shubman Gill and coach Gautam Gambhir is going to be immense. Fans are already grumbling about the exclusion of Axar Patel and the "over-testing" of new pacers.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Check the Toss: In Indore, the team winning the toss will almost certainly bowl first to avoid the evening dew. If India bats first, they need 350+ to feel safe.
- Follow the Match-ups: Watch how Kuldeep Yadav bowls to Daryl Mitchell. If Kuldeep goes for more than 10 in his first two overs, India is in trouble.
- Streaming Info: The game is live on Star Sports and JioHotstar. If you’re following the live IND vs NZ score online, keep an eye on the "runs per over" during the 15-40 over block. That's where New Zealand won the last game.
The road to the 2026 T20 World Cup starts with these moments. It's not just about a trophy; it's about figuring out who survives when the pressure is actually on.
Prepare for a high-scoring thriller in Indore. The stats suggest a batting paradise, and with both teams' top orders finding form, the record for most sixes in a single game might be under threat. Ensure you are tuned in by 1:00 PM IST for the toss, as that 50-cent coin flip might dictate the entire outcome of the series.