NZ vs IND Match Prediction, Pitch Report, Playing XI & Fantasy Picks: Who Will Win Today’s New Zealand vs India 3rd ODI? India Tour of New Zealand 2026

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NZ vs IND Match Preview

New Zealand host India at Seddon Park in Hamilton. In this NZ vs IND match prediction, India start as favourites, even though the Kiwis are at home.

India’s young pace attack has been the story of the series so far. New Zealand made 185 in Auckland and 134 in Wellington, and both times Indian seamers did the damage.

Gurnoor Brar has 7 wickets in two games. Shubman Gill leads India’s batting with 713 runs in his last 10 ODIs at an average of 101.86, so he and Brar are the top names in any NZ vs IND fantasy prediction.

New Zealand have one big positive: Daryl Mitchell. He made 352 runs against India in January, and he top-scored with 55 in Wellington when nobody else got going.

NZ vs IND Match Details

Here are the key details for the NZ vs IND 3rd ODI.

NZ vs IND Pitch Report: Seddon Park, Hamilton

Seddon Park usually plays as a good batting ground, but its recent ODIs have favoured the seamers. In November 2025, the West Indies were bowled out for 161 here, and New Zealand’s quicks took 8 of the 10 wickets. A month earlier, England folded for 175.

Rain has made things harder this week. Groundsman Karl Johnson told ESPNcricinfo that the wet start to November cut his preparation time. The pitch has spent long spells under covers, where it sweats, and that usually means early seam movement.

Big totals are still possible. New Zealand made 292/8 against Pakistan here in April 2025, and India chased 199 in 13.2 overs in a T20I at this ground just last week. Survive the new ball and the runs come.

The long-term record leans towards chasing. Of 61 ODIs at Seddon Park, teams batting second have won 32 and teams batting first have won 25 (Cricbuzz).

NZ vs IND Weather Report: Hamilton

The weather is the biggest worry. Forecasters give Hamilton close to a 100% chance of rain on Tuesday, and AccuWeather has a heavy rain watch from early Tuesday until Wednesday morning. Temperatures should sit around 17 to 18°C.

Both games so far were cut short and decided by DLS. A third one looks likely, so the DLS calculator might be the busiest man at the ground. Check the latest updates before the toss and before you lock your fantasy team.

NZ vs IND Recent Form

Both teams’ recent ODI results give some context ahead of this match.

Data Source: ESPNcricinfo

NZ vs IND Head-to-Head Record

The last five games are close, with India winning three. New Zealand won the January series in India, but India have taken both games on this tour.

Data Source: ESPNcricinfo

NZ vs IND Probable Playing XI

The probable playing XIs for the 3rd ODI are as follows.

New Zealand:

Will Young, Tim Seifert, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (WK), Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner (C), Nathan Smith, Kyle Jamieson, Jacob Duffy, Blair Tickner

India:

Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (C), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Anshul Kamboj, Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar, Arshdeep Singh

Possible changes: Mohammed Siraj could replace Arshdeep Singh for India, and Matt Fisher is an option for New Zealand.

Top Picks for NZ vs IND Fantasy Prediction

These players stand out based on their recent form and current stats.

Top Batting Picks

• Shubman Gill (IND, BAT): 713 runs in his last 10 ODIs at an average of 101.86 and a strike rate of 118.24. The best batter in this contest by a distance.
• Rohit Sharma (IND, BAT): 550 runs in his last 10 ODIs at an average of 55. He opens, so he gets first go at any short game.
• Virat Kohli (IND, BAT): Smashed 74 off 51 balls in Auckland, the best knock of the series so far.
• Daryl Mitchell (NZ, ALL): Top-scored with 55 in Wellington. He made 352 runs at an average of 176 against India in January.

Top Bowling Picks

• Gurnoor Brar (IND, BOWL): 18 wickets in his last 10 ODIs. He took 3/44 and 4/30 in this series and was Player of the Match in Wellington.
• Jacob Duffy (NZ, BOWL): 11 wickets in his last 7 ODIs at an economy of 5.74, with a wicket every 23.45 balls. He took 3/49 in Auckland.
• Anshul Kamboj (IND, ALL): Figures of 2/22 and 2/25 in this series. He was Player of the Match in the opener and almost never bowls a loose ball.
• Kyle Jamieson (NZ, BOWL): Took 3/35 in Wellington. At his height, a sweaty Hamilton pitch should suit him well.

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Fantasy Captain and Vice-Captain Choices

For Fantasy Team 1

Shubman Gill (Captain):

He has 713 runs in his last 10 ODIs at an average of 101.86, the best of anyone here. In a shortened chase, he can bat through and score most of the runs.

Gurnoor Brar (Vice-Captain):

He has 7 wickets in two games on this tour. With rain and a sweating pitch, the seamers should be on top again, and Brar is India’s best right now.

For Fantasy Team 2

Anshul Kamboj (Captain):

Most people will pick Gill or Brar as captain. Kamboj hits good areas and keeps taking wickets, so a three-wicket day gives you a real edge.

Daryl Mitchell (Vice-Captain):

He has been New Zealand’s only batter to stand up in this series. He can also bowl a few overs, so he has two ways to score points.

NZ vs IND Fantasy Team 1

A safe team built on India’s top batters and fast bowlers.

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NZ vs IND Fantasy Team 2

A riskier team built around pace and a few differential picks, for grand leagues.

NZ vs IND Toss Prediction

Toss Prediction: Bowl first

India won the toss and bowled first in both games, and it worked both times. With a covered, sweating pitch and rain about, bowling first and knowing the DLS target is the smart call. The venue record also favours chasing, 32 wins to 25.

Read Also: Bat First or Bowl First? A Complete Guide to Making the Right Toss Decision in Cricket

New Zealand vs India Prediction

Prediction: India to Win

India’s seamers have bowled New Zealand out twice in two games, and Gill, Kohli and Rohit give them a stronger top order. New Zealand are also missing a few regulars through injury.

New Zealand still have a decent record at Seddon Park, and India have a poor record in New Zealand: they didn’t win a single ODI on their last two tours. But on current form, India look the much stronger side, as long as the rain allows a result.