New Zealand will face India in the third T20I at Hnry Stadium in Wellington on Tuesday, October 27, 2026. India have won the first two matches by four wickets each and lead the five-match series 2-0. The visitors now have an opportunity to seal the series, while New Zealand must win to keep their hopes of a comeback alive.
India have shown composure in two close finishes, chasing down New Zealand’s totals on both occasions. Their batting depth has helped them cross the line, but the team will still want a more consistent performance from its bowlers.
New Zealand, captained by Mitchell Santner, have produced competitive totals but have been unable to defend them. Glenn Phillips has been a key contributor with the bat, and the hosts will need more support from the rest of their lineup.
India captain Shreyas Iyer will be looking to maintain the winning momentum. However, Ishan Kishan has been ruled out of the third T20I as he continues recovering from a right adductor strain. India will need to adjust their batting combination once again, with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Sanju Samson among the options.
NZ vs IND 3rd T20I: Match Details
| Match Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Match | New Zealand vs India, 3rd T20I |
| Series | India tour of New Zealand 2026 |
| Date | Tuesday, October 27, 2026 |
| Start Time (NZDT) | 8:00 PM |
| Start Time (PKT) | 12:00 PM |
| Start Time (IST) | 12:30 PM |
| Start Time (GMT) | 7:00 AM |
| Toss Time (NZDT) | 7:30 PM |
| Venue | Hnry Stadium, Wellington |
| Format | T20 International |
| New Zealand Captain | Mitchell Santner |
| India Captain | Shreyas Iyer |
| Series Score | India lead 2-0 |
NZ vs IND Head-to-Head T20I Record
India hold the advantage in the overall T20I rivalry, and their two victories in this series have strengthened their position.
| Record | Result |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 31 |
| India Wins | 16 |
| New Zealand Wins | 13 |
| Tied/No Result | 2 |
New Zealand will need a stronger performance with the ball to stop India from extending their lead in the rivalry.
Players to Watch
Glenn Phillips (New Zealand): Phillips has been New Zealand’s most productive batter in the series, scoring 152 runs across the first two matches. His power-hitting will be crucial if the hosts want to post a challenging total.
Mitchell Santner (New Zealand): The captain will need to lead from the front with both bat and ball. His left-arm spin could be important against India’s aggressive middle order.
Sanju Samson (India): Samson has provided India with positive starts at the top of the order. Another strong contribution would put the visitors in a good position to complete the series win.
Tilak Varma (India): Tilak’s unbeaten 51 off 26 balls in the second T20I proved decisive during India’s chase. His ability to finish an innings under pressure makes him one of the visitors’ key players.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (India): The young batter has an opportunity to make an impact in the absence of Ishan Kishan. His attacking style could help India maintain their scoring rate in the powerplay.
Official Squads
New Zealand: Mitchell Santner (c), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Josh Clarkson, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matthew Fisher, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Jamieson, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert, Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner.
India: Shreyas Iyer (c), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Kumar Kushagra.
Ishan Kishan has been ruled out of the third T20I as he continues his recovery from injury. New Zealand’s latest squad updates also affect the pace-bowling options available for selection.
NZ vs IND Probable Playing XIs
New Zealand: Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (wk), Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Bevon Jacobs, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Nathan Smith, Jacob Duffy, Blair Tickner.
India: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav.
These are predicted lineups based on the available squad information. The official playing XIs will be confirmed at the toss.
Hnry Stadium Pitch Report
Hnry Stadium in Wellington can offer a lively surface with good bounce, allowing batters to play their shots once they settle. However, the conditions can be challenging for bowlers and batters alike, with wind potentially influencing how the ball travels and how fast bowlers approach their deliveries.
India’s bowlers will need to find better control after conceding substantial totals in the first two matches. New Zealand, meanwhile, must take wickets early and avoid allowing India’s middle order to dictate the pace.
NZ vs IND Live Streaming Details
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India: Sony Sports Network on television and SonyLIV for live streaming.
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New Zealand: Sky Sport NZ on television and Sky Sport Now for streaming.
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United States and Canada: Willow TV and Willow by Cricbuzz.
Who Will Win the NZ vs IND 3rd T20I?
India have the advantage after winning both opening matches by four wickets. Their batters have handled pressure well, and another victory would secure the series with two games remaining.
New Zealand have enough batting firepower to challenge the visitors, particularly if Phillips and the top order produce another strong performance. However, their bowlers must be more effective at defending a total.
Match prediction: India to win the third T20I and seal the series 3-0. Their recent performances give them the edge, although New Zealand will be determined to respond on home soil.
