The series decider between India and New Zealand takes place on January 18, 2026, at Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore.
Both teams won one match each in this three-match series.
Fantasy cricket users face critical selection decisions for this ind vs nz 3rd ODI Dream11 prediction today match on 18 jan 2026.
The Indore venue historically produces high scores with short boundaries favoring aggressive batting.
Toss outcome directly impacts fantasy strategies. Teams bowling first hold an advantage at this ground due to the dew factor.
Player form in the series and venue-specific records become key selection criteria.
IND vs NZ 3rd ODI Dream11 Prediction Today Match
India vs New Zealand Match 3 Preview
This decider tests both team combinations under elimination pressure. India holds home advantage, but New Zealand enters with series-leveling momentum from Rajkot.
Tactical adjustments in the playing XI affect fantasy picks. Both sides showed batting depth in previous matches with centuries from KL Rahul and Daryl Mitchell.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | India vs New Zealand, 3rd ODI |
| Date | 18 January 2026 |
| Time | 1:30 PM IST |
| Venue | Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore |
| Series | New Zealand Tour of India 2026 |
Pitch Report
Holkar Stadium produces flat batting tracks with average first innings scores crossing 330 runs.
The 56-meter square boundaries inflate run rates significantly. Death overs see an increased six-hitting potential due to shortened dimensions.
Fantasy users should prioritize batters with strike rates above 100. Middle-order finishers gain value in the final 10 overs.
Spinners taking wickets in the middle overs offer differential picks despite high economy rates.
Pacers bowling at the death need yorker accuracy. New ball bowlers get swing only in the first 5-7 overs.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Type | Flat batting surface |
| Avg 1st Innings Score | 330+ |
| Boundary Size | ~56m square |
| Pace Assistance | New ball swing |
| Spin Impact | Middle overs |
| Chasing Advantage | High |
Weather Report
Clear weather conditions with 26-29°C temperatures create ideal batting scenarios.
Moderate humidity between 40-45% does not affect ball movement significantly.
Second innings batting becomes easier as dew settles post-sunset.
Bowlers struggle with a wet ball grip, reducing wicket-taking probability.
Chasing teams historically score at higher run rates under lights at this venue.
| Condition | Details |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 26–29°C |
| Humidity | 40–45% |
| Rain Chance | None |
| Wind | Light |
| Overall | Ideal for cricket |
Toss Prediction
Captains winning the toss choose to bowl first at Indore in 50% of matches. The dew factor creates bowling difficulty in the second innings.
Fantasy impact of the bowling-first trend:
- Second innings batters gain 15-20% higher scoring chances
- Death bowlers lose wicket-taking value
- Chasing anchors become safer captain’s pick
- Opening bowlers geta premium if batting first
Teams setting targets face harder bowling conditions. Fantasy users should adjust picks based on the toss result before the lineup lock.
Injury Updates
Squad changes affect fantasy balance calculations. India replaced Washington Sundar with Ayush Badoni after a rib injury ruled out the all-rounder.
- India: Washington Sundar ruled out (rib injury)
- Replacement: Ayush Badoni added
- New Zealand: No injury concerns
Both teams enter with full-strength squads. No last-minute changes expected before team announcements.
IND vs NZ Head-to-Head Records
Statistical data shows India’s dominance in bilateral ODI contests. Out of 118 matches played, India won 57 while New Zealand secured 50 victories.
India never lost an ODI series at home to New Zealand. This match offers the Black Caps their first series win opportunity on Indian soil.
| Category | Record |
|---|---|
| Matches | 118 |
| India Wins | 57 |
| NZ Wins | 50 |
| No Result | 11 |
Last Five Matches
Recent form analysis between the two teams.
- NZ won by 7 wickets – 14 Jan 2026
- IND won by 4 wickets – 11 Jan 2026
- IND won by 4 wickets – 09 Mar 2025
- IND won by 44 runs – 02 Mar 2025
- IND won by 70 runs – 15 Nov 2023
Top Picks For The Match
Player selection depends on consistency metrics and venue suitability. Virat Kohli averages 104.05 in his last five ODIs with 418 runs. Daryl Mitchell scored 215 runs in this series at 114.60 average.
KL Rahul’s century in the second ODI confirms his form reliability. Kyle Jamieson took 5 wickets across two matches. Kuldeep Yadav’s economy rate of 5.90 with 14 wickets in last 8 ODIs makes him a wicket-taking option.
| Player | Team | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | IND | 418 runs in last 5 ODIs |
| Daryl Mitchell | NZ | 215 runs this series |
| KL Rahul | IND | Century in 2nd ODI |
| Kyle Jamieson | NZ | 5 wickets, bounce factor |
| Kuldeep Yadav | IND | 14 wickets in last 8 ODIs |
Conclusion:
Fantasy preparation requires analyzing toss impact, pitch behavior, and recent player form data. Indore’s batting-friendly conditions favor top-order anchors and death-over hitters equally.
Small-league users should focus on consistency picks. Mega-league players need differential selections from lower ownership pools. Monitor team announcements 30 minutes before the match starts.
Check ind vs nz 3rd ODI Dream11 prediction odds from verified sources. Compare player ownership percentages across platforms.
- Match date: 18 January 2026
- Start time: 1:30 PM IST
- Toss timing: 1:00 PM IST
- Pitch summary: Flat, high-scoring
- Fantasy update window: Post-toss lineup confirmation
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