New Zealand showed composure under pressure to recover from a shaky start and post a formidable 337/8 in the third and final ODI against India at the Holkar Stadium on Sunday.
After being put in to bat, New Zealand were tested early by India’s new-ball attack, losing quick wickets and struggling to build momentum. However, a series of steady partnerships through the middle overs helped them regain control of the innings. The lower order then accelerated well at the death, pushing the total past the 330 mark and giving the bowlers something substantial to defend.
In reply, India found themselves in serious trouble early in the chase. Chasing 338, the hosts were rocked by disciplined bowling and sharp fielding, slumping to 71/4 inside the first 15 overs. The early collapse put India under immediate pressure in a high-stakes decider, leaving the middle order with a steep task to rebuild and keep the chase alive.
With New Zealand’s recovery setting the tone and India reeling after the loss of four wickets, the match was finely poised, with momentum firmly swinging toward the visitors as the decider unfolded.