IND vs NZ, 3rd T20I: Head-to-head, pitch report & predicted playing XIs

India and New Zealand will clash in the 3rd T20I match on Sunday, January 25th at the Barsapara Stadium in the city of Guwahati. India are leading the five-match series 2-0 and are close to sealing the series.

India won the 1st T20I in Nagpur by 48 runs, where they scored 238/7, with Abhishek Sharma hitting 84 off 35 balls. In the 2nd T20I at Raipur, India chased down 208 with Ishan Kishan’s 76 off 32 and Suryakumar Yadav’s unbeaten 82 off 37 balls. The series almost in hand, India likely to try new combinations to reduce workload ahead of T20 World cup.

New Zealand have scored well in both matches but failed to defend big totals. They lost the first game after being restricted to 190, and in the second match, despite posting 208, their bowlers could not stop India’s strong batting. This is a must-win game for the Kiwis to remain in the series.

IND vs NZ: Head-to-Head Record (T20Is)

Matches Played: 27
India Won: 14
New Zealand Won: 10
Tied / No Result: 3

IND vs NZ: Pitch Report

The pitch at Barsapara Cricket Stadium is generally batting-friendly with even bounce and little help for bowlers. Shot-making becomes easier once batters settle in, leading to high scores. Bowlers need good accuracy and smart variations to control runs. Due to possible dew later in the match, teams may prefer to bowl first after winning the toss.

IND vs NZ: Predicted Playing XIs

India (IND):

Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Suryakumar Yadav (c), Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah/Harshit Rana

New Zealand (NZ):

Tim Seifert (wk), Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (c), Zakary Foulkes, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy