Rain Washes Out India vs New Zealand Third ODI in Hamilton as Series Lead Stays 2-0

Photo: Seddon Park, Hamilton (Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0, by JaumeBG)

Rain had the final say at Seddon Park on Tuesday, as the third One-Day International between India and New Zealand was abandoned without a single ball being bowled. Persistent showers through the day left the umpires with no option but to call off the match, and India's seven-year wait for an ODI series victory on New Zealand soil goes on a little longer.

India still lead the five-match series 2-0, and cannot lose it from here, but the washout means the visitors must wait for at least one more win in the final two matches to seal the series. The action now moves to the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui, where the fourth and fifth ODIs will be played on Friday, November 13, and Sunday, November 15.

A Toss Won, But No Cricket Played

There was a brief window of hope in the morning. The early showers eased just long enough for Indian captain Shubman Gill to win the toss for the third time in a row and choose to bowl first, naming an unchanged side from the previous two matches. But the rain returned before play could begin, and it never relented.

With around 70 minutes still left before the local cut-off time of 7:50 pm for a 20-overs-a-side game, the two umpires decided that no result was possible and officially abandoned the match. The forecast had always been gloomy, with around a 90 per cent chance of rain predicted through the day, and a sell-out crowd at Seddon Park was left without any cricket to watch.

India Still in Command at 2-0

Despite the washout, India remain firmly in control of the series. The visitors won the first ODI by five wickets and the second by four runs, with both matches affected by rain. One more victory in the remaining two games would secure the series and end New Zealand's remarkable run of 11 consecutive home ODI series wins, a streak that began after India last beat them in a series on New Zealand soil in 2019.

The washout also closes a chapter for two of India's senior batters in this series. Shubman Gill and KL Rahul were only part of the squad for the first three ODIs, with the team management choosing to manage their workload ahead of the Test series. Shreyas Iyer is set to lead the side for the remaining two matches, as India prepare for the two-Test series that begins in Wellington on November 19.

What Comes Next for Both Teams

For New Zealand, the move to Mount Maunganui brings hope of clearer skies and a full contest. The hosts will also be without batter Devon Conway, who has been ruled out of the remaining ODIs after suffering a concussion during a training session in Auckland. The Black Caps know that only wins in both remaining matches can level the series, and their proud home record is now on the line.

The weather has already shaped this series more than either team would have liked, with rain interrupting the first two games as well. Both sides will now be hoping that the Bay Oval delivers two full days of cricket, so the series can be decided on the field rather than by the clouds above it.

Conclusion

Hamilton gave the fans a toss, a team announcement and plenty of rain, but no cricket. India keep their 2-0 lead and their grip on the series, yet the job is not done. The final two matches in Mount Maunganui will decide whether India finally end their long wait for a series win in New Zealand, or whether the hosts fight back to protect a home record built over seven years.

Do you think India will seal the series in the fourth ODI at Mount Maunganui, or will New Zealand bounce back to keep the contest alive?