In a crucial series decider, India and New Zealand clashed in the 3rd ODI at the Holkar Stadium in Indore on January 18, 2026, with India opting to field first after winning the toss. The series was finely poised at 1-1, making this match a straight shootout for the series victory.

Shubman Gill, the Indian captain, revealed that Arshdeep Singh was brought into the playing XI, replacing Prasidh Krishna. This decision came after much discussion and, perhaps, public sentiment, as many questioned Arshdeep's absence in the first two ODIs. Former players, including R Ashwin, had emphasized the importance of consistent game time for Arshdeep to find his rhythm.

The Holkar Stadium in Indore is known for being a batting-friendly surface with short boundaries, promising a high-scoring affair. The average first innings score in ODIs at this venue is around 320, reflecting the favorable batting conditions. India has an unblemished record at this stadium, winning all seven ODIs played here. In their most recent outings in 2023, they scored 399/5 against Australia and 385/9 versus New Zealand.

The inclusion of Arshdeep Singh was expected to add variety to India's pace attack. Known for his ability to swing the new ball and bowl effective yorkers at the death, Arshdeep justified his inclusion by taking a wicket in his first over.

For New Zealand, this match presented a significant opportunity to secure their first-ever ODI series win on Indian soil. They last won a Test series in India in November 2024 with a 3-0 victory. The New Zealand team for this crucial match remained unchanged.

India's recent home ODI record was under scrutiny, having last lost a bilateral series at home in March 2023 against Australia. With the series decider in Indore, the pressure was on the home side to maintain their dominance.

The pitch at Holkar Stadium favors batsmen, but bowlers can find some assistance as the game progresses. Spinners, in particular, might find some grip in the middle overs if they bowl with discipline and vary their deliveries. Dew could also become a major factor in the second innings, making it difficult for bowlers to grip the ball.

The match held significant importance for several players. Rohit Sharma needed 17 runs to become the seventh opener to reach 16,000 international runs. Virat Kohli, who reclaimed the top spot in the ICC men's ODI rankings, aimed to score his first fifty at this venue. KL Rahul, who has been in impressive form against New Zealand, was also a key player for India.