Continuing their dominant performance in ODI series against Australia, the men in blue made a thunderous start to the five match ODI series in New Zealand after they chased down an ordinary target to take an early lead in the series.
New Zealand were expected to come hard in the second ODI but it again turned out to be a one sided affair. Indian team put up a mammoth target of 325 runs and in response the hosts could just manage 234 runs, losing the match by 90 runs.
Indian bowling attack is proving to be the decisive factor for the visiting team who are without the services of Jasprit Bumrah. New Zealand on the other hand have failed to put up a stabled bowling line-up.
Indian batting line-up has been a tough nut to crack for the Kiwi bowlers on the other hand the black caps have struggled to put up a partnership that has mainly constituted to their losing streak in starting two ODIs.
Weather condition
It will be another humid day of New Zealand’s summer. The temperature will range from 27’c-29’c in the noon and will become cooler in the evening with temperature ranging from 22’c-27’c.
There is no chances of the rain to spoil the play and you can expect full quota of 100 over to be bowled in the day.
Pitch report
The Mount Maunganui pitch offered runs for the batsman and it is expected to remain the same for the 3rd ODI. Indian team will be hoping to win the toss and choose to bat in order to put enough runs on the board and expect their bowlers to again do the job and seal the series at the venue. This will be the last match for Virat Kohli on the tour as the Indian captain has been rested for last two ODIs and the T20 series.
New Zealand may bring Mitchell Santner in place of fast bowling all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme who didn’t prove beneficial for the host team in the 2nd ODI. The spin duo of Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner can prove handy on the spin friendly conditions at Bay Oval.