Team India will look to clean sweep New Zealand in the final ODI match to be played at Holkar Stadium, Indore on 24 January 2023.
India produced a dominating display in the 2nd ODI match at Raipur with Mohammed Shami, Mohammad Siraj, Hardik Pandya, Shardul Thakur, Washington Sundar, and Kuldeep Yadav all picking wickets to bowl out New Zealand for a modest total of 108.
In reply, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill put on 72 runs for the opening wicket. Rohit Sharma made fifty while Gill remained not out as India won the match by 8 wickets.
India will be looking to test their bench strength in the final ODI match. The Holkar Stadium, Indore is the favorite hunting ground for Team India. With the number 1 ranking on the line, there might be some changes in the playing XI.
Here we look at the 3 changes that India could make in the 3rd ODI against New Zealand:
- Umran Malik replacing Mohammed Siraj
With the Test series against Australia to begin from 9th Feb 2023, Siraj could be given a rest in the 3rd One-day international. Umran Malik had a decent outing in the ODI series against Sri Lanka with his speed and accuracy.
The pitch at Holkar Stadium, Indore is likely to favor the batters, Malik could be a good choice against the Kiwi batting line-up. He has done well for Team India registering the fastest delivery by an Indian in the ODI format.
He will look to give his best and prove his worth by picking up wickets to ensure that he shows his class against the top-quality unit. Siraj has been the key performer for Team India in the ODI series against Sri Lanka and then in the first two ODI matches against New Zealand.
- Shahbaz Ahmed replacing Hardik Pandya
Shahbaz Ahmed could be selected in the final ODI match replacing Hardik Pandya. Hardik Pandya did not feature in the 3rd ODI against Sri Lanka due to workload management. Hardik took a stunning one-handed catch to dismiss Devon Conway.
The left-arm spin all-rounder Shahbaz can provide the option of a decent fielder. He bowls stump to stump and creates impact by picking up wickets.
He made his ODI debut against South Africa last year and did a decent job with the ball. Shahbaz Ahmed would be looking to impress if given a chance in playing XI.
- Yuzvendra Chahal replacing Kuldeep Yadav
Yuzvendra Chahal will look to get game time in the 3rd and final ODI match replacing Kuldeep Yadav. Chahal could not perform according to expectations as he took only 1 wicket for 58 runs against Sri Lanka in the first ODI match before suffering an injury.
Kuldeep Yadav has performed brilliantly with 2 matches against Sri Lanka and 2 matches against New Zealand. Chahal would be looking to impress on a batting track in Indore hoping for a decent performer.
India would be looking for their premier bowler to return back to form before the upcoming ODI series in the coming months.
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