INDIA vs NEW ZEALAND 3rd ODI: As we’re all well aware, Sanju Samson has recently become one of the most popular characters in Indian cricket. The name ‘Sanju Samson’ has been trending on Twitter for the past two days after he was dropped out of the team for the second ODI against New Zealand. In the last match of the series, all eyes will be on Team India’s playing XI and also on whether the team management brings changes after the washed-out game or not. Will Sanju Samson play in the third ODI? And will Rishabh Pant be dropped?
Team India, led by Shikhar Dhawan, will try to end their rain-plagued tour of New Zealand with a victory on Wednesday’s third and final ODI (INDIA vs NEW ZEALAND 3rd ODI) at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch (November 30). After losing the first ODI by seven wickets, India is trailing 1-0 in the series to Kane Williamson’s team. The second one-day international of the series was washed out on Sunday (November 27) in Hamilton, and the weather forecast for Wednesday is also not promising.
CHECK OUT: India vs New Zealand | 3rd ODI | Weather Forecast and Pitch report
INDIA vs NEW ZEALAND 3rd ODI: Preview
Given that the INDIA vs NEW ZEALAND 3rd ODI game will take place under cloudy conditions, it is apparent that the fast bowlers will benefit from this. The strip is also favorable for fast bowlers. However, captain Shikhar and coach VVS must be very specific about the team they are grounding. In the second game, the bowlers never seemed to be in control and were unable to defend a 300+ score. Washington and Kashmiri descent Umran, both were decent, but NZ still reached the target three overs prior.
Kuldeep Yadav, who is yet to play a match on this tour, and Deepak Chahar could be the two options in place of Yuzvendra Chahal and Shardul Thakur, who failed to impress with the ball. Time is also running out for Rishabh Pant, who has failed to cement his place in the Indian batting line-up. Fans are not happy that a struggling Pant has left Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson out of the playing XI.
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Possible playing XI in the Third ODI
At the top, there won’t be any changes, and captain Shikhar Dhawan is likely to open with Shubman Gill. The pair gave the side a strong start in the first game, and they’ll be hoping to keep it up. In the first ODI, Shreyas Iyer sparkled and scored a crucial 80, h e will bat at number 3, followed by Rishabh Pant. Sanju Samson won’t play because the team management is expected to back Rishabh once again. Samson wasn’t included in the team in the second ODI.
Deepak Hooda made his comeback in the playing XI for the 2nd ODI and is expected to retain his place. Team India lacked a fifth bowling option in the first ODI and Hooda might again fill that void. Most likely, one change that the team could bring is playing Deepak Chahar in place of Shardul Thakur. The rest of the team is likely to remain the same for INDIA vs NEW ZEALAND 3rd ODI.
Possible playing XI- Shikhar Dhawan, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (wk), Deepak Hooda/Sanju Samson, Washington Sundar, Deepak Chahar/ Shardul Thakur, Umran Malik, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal
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