India’s long-standing aura of invincibility at home has begun to crack, and the signs have been evident over the past few months. Ahead of New Zealand’s arrival, South Africa pushed India hard in a three-match ODI series and stretched them to the limit in a five-game T20I contest before Suryakumar Yadav’s side edged the decider in Ahmedabad. The low point came in the longer format, where Temba Bavuma’s team completed a stunning 2–0 Test sweep.
Now, the ongoing ODI series against New Zealand hangs delicately in the balance. Led by Gautam Gambhir, India have been pushed into a corner by a relatively under-strength New Zealand side captained by Michael Bracewell. After scraping through a tense opener in Baroda, the hosts were comprehensively beaten in Rajkot, setting up a winner-takes-all decider in Indore on Sunday (January 18) — a match Mohammed Siraj compared to a World Cup final.
Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate explained India’s recent flirtation with close contests and defeats by pointing to experimentation. “In bilateral series, we do try to push the envelope and test options,” he said, while stressing that losing is never acceptable. Admitting the recent losses still sting, he added that India must rediscover the intimidation factor that once made visiting teams wary of touring the country.
The 1–1 scoreline, however, only scratches the surface. More worrying for India is how comprehensively New Zealand have outperformed them. The visitors have looked sharper with bat, ball and in the field — and perhaps most tellingly, they have outthought India tactically. Missed chances have compounded India’s problems, while New Zealand’s clarity has stood out.
A major difference has been spin. New Zealand’s relatively unheralded slow bowlers, including debutant Jayden Richard Lennox, have outshone India’s experienced pair of Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav. Bracewell, Glenn Phillips, and Lennox collectively produced better returns and greater control than their Indian counterparts.
If there is one venue India would have welcomed for a decider, it is Indore. At the Holkar Stadium, India boast a perfect ODI record — seven matches, seven wins. The compact ground and short boundaries traditionally favour batters, and the hosts have previously piled on mammoth totals here, including 418 for 5 against the West Indies in 2011.
India could consider a slight reshuffle for the final game. Arshdeep Singh is likely to come in for Prasidh Krishna, while Nitish Kumar Reddy may retain his place despite mixed returns and recent criticism from the coaching staff. Jadeja, meanwhile, will be keen to deliver with Axar Patel waiting in the wings.
For New Zealand, Sunday presents a rare and historic opportunity — winning a white-ball series in India. They achieved the unthinkable in a Test series here in 2024 and are eager to repeat that giant-killing act in limited-overs cricket.
“Inspiration comes from knowing that things which haven’t been done before are possible,” said Phillips. “We had a great experience in the Test series, but a white-ball series is a different challenge altogether. India are incredibly strong in this format, and very few teams have beaten them here. If we manage to do it, it would be hugely special for us.”
Match Details
When: Sunday, January 18, 2026, 1:30 PM (local time)
Where: Holkar Stadium, Indore
What to Expect
Another high-scoring contest is on the cards, with the venue likely to remain a batter’s paradise. While India’s big names — Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli — will command attention, New Zealand’s ability to punch above their weight means they cannot be taken lightly, especially with Daryl Mitchell in ominous form.
Team News
India (Probable XI):
Shubman Gill (c), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh.
New Zealand (Probable XI):
Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Hay (wk), Michael Bracewell (c), Zakary Foulkes, Kristian Clarke, Kyle Jamieson, Jayden Lennox.
Did You Know?
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New Zealand have never won an ODI bilateral series in India, managing just 9 victories in 41 completed matches on Indian soil.
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In this World Cup cycle, New Zealand have been the most effective batting side against spin in the middle overs (11–40).
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India’s death-overs batting has been a concern, with only England and South Africa posting worse averages in overs 41–50.
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Since the South Africa series, Kohli has adopted a more aggressive start, striking at over 100 in his first 10 balls.
What They Said
Mohammed Siraj: “It feels like a high-pressure game, almost a World Cup final. Such situations are rare in India, and it’s a great opportunity for us.”
Glenn Phillips: “India is a very tough place to play. We know we have to be at our absolute best to beat them, but we’re excited by the challenge.”
