The ODI series between India and New Zealand has now turned into a proper contest after the Kiwis pulled off a nail-biter at the Feroz Shah Kotla on Thursday. The team that comes to the party, with bat and ball, on Sunday in Mohali will gain the upper hand going into the final two matches of the series.
India were poor with the bat in the second one-day international, but what will give them encouragement going into this game is the bowling. After Kane Williamson and Tom Latham set the game up for the Kiwis with a stellar 120-run partnership, India pulled things back brilliantly with the ball, restricting New Zealand to what was a below par score.
Get the final report of the match HERE
The batsmen might have ended up failing to get to the target, but Dhoni will be encouraged by the bowling effort. Jasprit Bumrah is a huge asset to have in the final overs, with his ability to zone in those yorkers second to none. With Amit Mishra showing his ability to pick up wickets in the middle overs, India have a steady bowling lineup through the innings, particularly if Umesh Yadav and Hardik Pandya carry on their solid form with the new ball.
The Kotla did not provide much help for the duo, but Mohali should and if Umesh and Pandya find the right lines and lengths, like they did in the opening match, India could trigger another New Zealand batting collapse.
If India do end up batting first, the onus will be on the top order to score the bulk of the runs – putting the pressure on Matt Henry, Tim Southee and Trent Boult early will be the key.
For New Zealand, they will again rely on the brilliance of Kane Williamson, while Tom Latham has been outstanding with the bat in this entire tour. Martin Guptill, though, needs to contribute and so does Ross Taylor. If those two also come to the party for the Kiwis, this could end up being a long afternoon/evening for the India bowlers.
India, however, have done well to contain the Black Caps batsmen, chiefly by taking wickets at regular intervals. The plan, obviously, will be to continue in that same vein, and with Bumrah looking so lethal in the final overs with those yorkers and changes of pace, India will back themselves to stop this New Zealand bating outfit from getting a big score/chasing down their target.
Where to Watch Live
The India vs New Zealand 3rd ODI match is set to begin at 1.30pm IST (9pm NZT, 9am BST, 4am ET). Live Streaming and TV information is below.
India: TV: Star Sports 1/HD1 and Star Sports 3/HD3. Live Streaming: Hotstar.
New Zealand: TV: Sky Sport3. Live Streaming: Sky Go NZ.
UK: TV: Sky Sports 3. Live Streaming: Watch Sky Sports.
US and Canada: TV: Willow TV. Live Streaming: Willow TV Online.
Middle East: TV: OSN Sports Cricket. Live Streaming: OSN Cricket Live.
Australia: TV: Fox Sports 2. Live Streamimg: Foxtel.
