🏏 India vs New Zealand – 3rd ODI (Series Decider) | Full Match Guide

The third and final One Day International (ODI) between India and New Zealand is happening today, Sunday 18 January 2026, and it’s one of the most exciting matches in this short series. The first two games ended with each team winning one match, so this third match will decide who wins the series.

📅 Match Details

• Date: Sunday, 18 January 2026

• Venue: Holkar Stadium, Indore (Madhya Pradesh, India)

• Toss Time: Around 1:00 PM IST

• Match Start: 1:30 PM IST (local Indian time)

• Format: One Day International (50 overs per side)

• Series Score: Tied 1–1 before this match.

Indore’s Holkar Stadium has historically been a good ground for India in ODIs, with India enjoying a strong winning record there. Fans are excited because this venue could play a big role in helping India defend home advantag

📺 Where to Watch Live (TV & Online)

Cricket fans across India and abroad can follow the action as follows:

🇮🇳 In India

• 📺 TV Broadcast: Star Sports Network will show the match live on television.

• 📲 Online/Livestream:

  • JioHotstar app & website will stream the match live for viewers in India.

That means if you have Star Sports on TV or access to JioHotstar on your phone/tablet/laptop, you’ll be able to watch every ball of this big game.

🌍 International Streaming

For fans outside India, platforms like YuppTV may provide live streaming access depending on your region (especially in Europe).

🧠 Match Strategy & Conditions

• Holkar Stadium pitches in Indore usually offer good balance between bat and ball — spinners often get help later in the innings, while batsmen can score freely early on.

• Winning the toss and choosing whether to bat or bowl first could be crucial, especially with the pressure of a series decider.

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  🏁 In a Nutshell

  India vs New Zealand – 3rd ODI is set for 1:30 PM IST today at Holkar Stadium in Indore, and it’s live on Star Sports and JioHotstar. The match will decide the winner of this short but thrilling ODI series, with both teams fighting hard for the win in front of a packed crowd. 🇮🇳🏏

  

  ⭐ Player to Watch: Rohit Sharma — Form, Records & What to Expect

  As India and New Zealand prepare for the series-deciding 3rd ODI in Indore, one of the biggest names on the field is Rohit Sharma — India’s senior opener and former captain. Even at 38, Rohit remains one of the most dangerous batters in 50-over cricket.

  🔥 Recent Form

  Rohit has been in solid touch heading into this match. Although he hasn’t scored a big innings in the first two ODIs of this series (he made 24 and 26), he’s looked positive at the crease and consistently given India starts at the top.

• Cricket experts like Aakash Chopra have pointed out that Rohit’s overall 50-over form has been strong — he scored two centuries and three fifties in his last ten ODI innings across different competitions before this series. That kind of rhythm is always a big advantage in an important game like this
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• 📊 Why He’s Dangerous Against New Zealand

  Rohit has an excellent record against New Zealand in ODIs overall. Across his career, he’s scored over 1,000 runs against them with multiple fifties and centuries, showing he handles Kiwi bowling well — especially at home.

  He also has a strong record at Holkar Stadium in Indore, where he’s scored runs consistently in past games against New Zealand — so this ground suits his style.

• http://India vs New Zealand 3rd ODI live streaming

• 🏆 Experience & Big-Match Temperament

  Beyond numbers, Rohit’s presence in a crunch match like this adds enormous value. He’s played more than 280 ODIs, scored over 11,500 international runs, and hit hundreds of sixes in his career — making him one of the most experienced and proven big-game batters India has

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• In fact, he’s also climbed high in the ICC ODI batting rankings, reflecting his consistency and impact in the format.

  🧠 What to Expect Today

  If Rohit gets a start — even 30–40 runs — he has the ability to turn it into a match-defining innings. For India to win the series decider, a strong outing from him could set the tone for the rest of the batting lineup.

  At this stage of his career, he balances experience and aggression — meaning he can decide to play responsibly early and then accelerate once settled. That mix makes him a key player in high-pressure games like this one.