3rd ODI: India bank on KL Rahul, Virat Kohli as Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill face pressure against depleted New Zealand
toi
newspoint|10-11-2026
Buoyed by their pacers’ impressive performances in the first two games but concerned about their senior batters’ struggles in seamer-friendly conditions, India will once again bank on Virat Kohli’s brilliance and KL Rahul’s composure as they look to seal the series against an injury hit New Zealand in the third ODI in Hamilton on Tuesday.
India lead the five-match series 2-0, but barring Kohli’s majestic 74 at Eden Park and Rahul’s finishing touch in Wellington, the rest of the batting lineup has struggled. Skipper Shubman Gill, former captain Rohit Sharma and vice-captain Shreyas Iyer have all found it difficult to cope with the pace and bounce on offer, although Iyer chipped in with a useful 30 in the second ODI.
Having been dismissed for 0 and 37 in the first two games, Gill will be keen to get a substantial score while helping India wrap up the series. He will miss the final two ODIs and turn his attention to redball preparations ahead of the first Test in Wellington on Nov 19. A good knock would provide a timely confidence boost, especially as he will not have a red-ball warm-up game. Iyer will lead India in the final two ODIs in Tauranga.
India will also hope their two senior Mumbai batters, Rohit (0 and 23) and Iyer (15 and 30), come up with substantial contributions. Both showed glimpses of form during the tricky chase in Wellington, but will want to make a bigger impact.
As has been the trend in the series, the third ODI at Seddon Park could also be affected by rain. Cold and damp conditions are likely to offer seam movement and extra bounce, making life difficult for batters once again.
‘Rahul has played some unbelievable innings’
India head coach Gautam Gambhir may also need to reconsider his decision to promote Axar Patel to No. 5 ahead of Rahul, who has looked more assured in the middle order and equally comfortable finishing games at No. 6.
The move to send Axar ahead of Rahul is intended to introduce a left-hander into a top order dominated by right-handers. However, Axar has struggled against pace and steep bounce. In Wellington, Rahul remained unbeaten on 26, holding the innings together. He handled the short ball confidently and kept India ahead of the DLS par score before rain ended the contest in 26 overs, with the visitors securing a four-run win.
India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak praised Rahul’s versatility and ability to adapt to different roles.
“I think KL Rahul’s biggest advantage is that he can open in red-ball cricket and bat in the middle order in white-ball cricket. Whenever required, he can also go with five overs left. His record there is also very good. So, he plays according to the team’s needs,” Kotak said on Monday. “He has played some unbelievable innings, and he never looks under pressure,” he said.
India’s biggest positive has been the form of their fast bowlers. Arshdeep Singh, Gurnoor Brar, Anshul Kamboj and Auqib Nabi have all impressed. With the Test series approaching, India would also like to give experienced pacer Mohammed Siraj some game time.
New Zealand, meanwhile, have struggled to find their rhythm. Mitchell Santner has lost the toss in both matches, allowing India to exploit the damp conditions. The absence of openers Devon Conway, who is recovering from concussion, and injured Rachin Ravindra has further weakened their batting.
The hosts will also be without pacer Blair Tickner, who suffered a concussion. Kristian Clarke has been called up as his replacement.
India lead the five-match series 2-0, but barring Kohli’s majestic 74 at Eden Park and Rahul’s finishing touch in Wellington, the rest of the batting lineup has struggled. Skipper Shubman Gill, former captain Rohit Sharma and vice-captain Shreyas Iyer have all found it difficult to cope with the pace and bounce on offer, although Iyer chipped in with a useful 30 in the second ODI.
Having been dismissed for 0 and 37 in the first two games, Gill will be keen to get a substantial score while helping India wrap up the series. He will miss the final two ODIs and turn his attention to redball preparations ahead of the first Test in Wellington on Nov 19. A good knock would provide a timely confidence boost, especially as he will not have a red-ball warm-up game. Iyer will lead India in the final two ODIs in Tauranga.
India will also hope their two senior Mumbai batters, Rohit (0 and 23) and Iyer (15 and 30), come up with substantial contributions. Both showed glimpses of form during the tricky chase in Wellington, but will want to make a bigger impact.
As has been the trend in the series, the third ODI at Seddon Park could also be affected by rain. Cold and damp conditions are likely to offer seam movement and extra bounce, making life difficult for batters once again.
‘Rahul has played some unbelievable innings’
India head coach Gautam Gambhir may also need to reconsider his decision to promote Axar Patel to No. 5 ahead of Rahul, who has looked more assured in the middle order and equally comfortable finishing games at No. 6.
The move to send Axar ahead of Rahul is intended to introduce a left-hander into a top order dominated by right-handers. However, Axar has struggled against pace and steep bounce. In Wellington, Rahul remained unbeaten on 26, holding the innings together. He handled the short ball confidently and kept India ahead of the DLS par score before rain ended the contest in 26 overs, with the visitors securing a four-run win.
India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak praised Rahul’s versatility and ability to adapt to different roles.
“I think KL Rahul’s biggest advantage is that he can open in red-ball cricket and bat in the middle order in white-ball cricket. Whenever required, he can also go with five overs left. His record there is also very good. So, he plays according to the team’s needs,” Kotak said on Monday. “He has played some unbelievable innings, and he never looks under pressure,” he said.
India’s biggest positive has been the form of their fast bowlers. Arshdeep Singh, Gurnoor Brar, Anshul Kamboj and Auqib Nabi have all impressed. With the Test series approaching, India would also like to give experienced pacer Mohammed Siraj some game time.
New Zealand, meanwhile, have struggled to find their rhythm. Mitchell Santner has lost the toss in both matches, allowing India to exploit the damp conditions. The absence of openers Devon Conway, who is recovering from concussion, and injured Rachin Ravindra has further weakened their batting.
The hosts will also be without pacer Blair Tickner, who suffered a concussion. Kristian Clarke has been called up as his replacement.
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