With the three-match series locked at 1-1, the contest carries added significance, as India have not lost a bilateral ODI series at home since Australia’s comeback win in 2019.
For New Zealand, the stakes are equally high. The Black Caps have toured India for bilateral ODI series since 1989 but have never managed a series victory on Indian soil. With momentum from their convincing win in the second ODI, this tour represents one of their strongest opportunities to end that long-standing drought.
India’s defeat in Rajkot exposed concerns that go beyond individual performances. New Zealand seized control during the middle overs, led by Daryl Mitchell’s unbeaten century, which was marked by calculated aggression against spin. India’s struggles to control this phase, particularly on slow bowling, remain a growing concern ahead of the Indore clash.
The Holkar Stadium, known for short boundaries and high-scoring encounters, leaves little room for error. India’s recurring difficulty in rotating strike against spin has often forced batters into risky shots, a problem that could prove costly on a surface where totals can quickly exceed 350. Tactical discipline during quieter phases may decide the outcome.
Attention will also focus on senior batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. While Rohit has endured a lean run with his aggressive approach at the top, Kohli continues to be the backbone of India’s ODI batting. With limited 50-over cricket scheduled for India’s senior players in the coming months, fans will be hoping for a decisive “RoKo” partnership.
Selection choices will play a crucial role in the decider. The debate between Nitish Kumar Reddy and Ayush Badoni highlights the balance between power and control, while the possible inclusion of left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh could add variation in conditions that favour smart pace bowling. Against a confident and tactically sharp New Zealand side, India’s ability to adapt and make precise decisions may ultimately determine whether their home dominance survives.