The New Zealand openers were back in the hut in no time, as Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana struck with their very first overs. Henry Nicholls was in two minds when he got late withdrawing his bat on a delivery from Arshdeep Singh that cramped him near the off-stump.
India have made just one change going into the series decider at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. The stadium, which is largely known for its high-scoring nature, has a rocket outfield and smooth batting tracks. India brought back their seasoned pacer Arshdeep Singh, replacing uneconomical Prasidh Krishna.
India started with their first win against New Zealand at Vadodara; however, they were aiming for their unbeaten streak in ODI bilaterals. However, they lost the second match of the series at Rajkot, which made the final ODI a must-win game for the Men in Blue.
Henry Nicholls bamboozled by Arshdeep Singh in the 3rd ODI
New Zealand lost their first wicket in the very first over of the third ODI in Indore. Henry Nicholls, the batter who made a return to ODIs for New Zealand, started very well in the series but followed with a stint of low scores in the next two games.
Arshdeep Singh shaped the ball towards the batter and pitched it perfectly, something he does very often with the new ball. As he pitched a ball around the good length, and the seam was enough to make it move through the air, Nichollas was in a dilemma about whether to leave it or play his shot.
The dilemma caused him big time, as he got late on the leave, and the inner edge of the bat crashed the ball into his leg stump.
DREAM START! 🔥📖
Arshdeep Singh strikes in the 1st over.
Harshit Rana follows up in the 2nd.Two overs. Two wickets. Perfect script. 😍💙#INDvNZ | 3rd ODI | LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/CixSjUFkhU pic.twitter.com/02ShnvSfM3
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) January 18, 2026
Harshit Rana shines with back-to-back breakthroughs for India
Indian pacer Harshit Rana has been a constant for India in the 50-over format, especially since the Australia series, where he first performed significantly well. Harshit Rana has been a regular wicket-taker for the Men in Blue in the One-Day format.
Coming into this game, too, Rana had already picked several wickets in the series with both the new ball and also at the death. Rana picked up a wicket with his first ball in Indore, as he dismissed Devon Conway with a beauty of a delivery.
He then returned with his 5th over of his first spell, resulting in another breakthrough in the form of Will Young, the half-century from the previous game.
Daryl Mitchell scores third consecutive half-century of the series
Kiwi batter Daryl Mitchell has almost turned India into his second home ground. Everywhere and anywhere, he has been playing in India and against this opposition as well, he has always set a flurry of runs.
Mitchell scored his third consecutive half-century of the series. He had also scored a century against India in the previous game in Rajkot, where he helped them chase a total of 285 with 7 wickets remaining.
Mitchell has been contributing to a partnership alongside Glenn Phillips, who would also have to play a fluent innings here to facilitate New Zealand to a respectable total.
