IND vs NZ 3rd T20I: India Eyes Series Victory in Guwahati Clash
The Indian cricket team, riding high on confidence after two commanding victories, is set to face New Zealand in the crucial third T20 International at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati this Sunday. With the series currently standing at 2-0 in favor of India, this match presents an opportunity for the hosts to seal the five-match series with two games to spare.
Match Details and Schedule
The third T20I between India and New Zealand is scheduled for Sunday, January 25, 2026, with the match commencing at 7:00 PM IST. The venue for this high-stakes encounter is the iconic Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, Assam, known for its lively atmosphere and batting-friendly conditions.
The complete schedule for the India vs New Zealand T20I series is as follows:
- 1st T20I: January 21 at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur
- 2nd T20I: January 23 at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium, Raipur
- 3rd T20I: January 25 at ACA Stadium, Guwahati
- 4th T20I: January 28 at Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam
- 5th T20I: January 31 at Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram
Series Context and Recent Performances
India has dominated the series so far with comprehensive victories in both opening matches. The first T20I in Nagpur saw India triumph by 48 runs, largely thanks to a spectacular individual performance. The second match in Raipur was even more impressive, with India chasing down a target of 209 runs in just 15.2 overs to win by seven wickets.
Ishan Kishan made a sensational return to international cricket after a prolonged absence, smashing a blistering 76 runs off just 32 balls in Raipur. His aggressive innings provided the perfect platform for captain Suryakumar Yadav to settle in and then unleash his trademark strokeplay. Suryakumar remained unbeaten on 82 from 37 deliveries, showcasing why he's considered one of the most dangerous T20 batters in world cricket.
Predicted Playing XIs
Based on current form and team combinations, here are the likely playing elevens for both sides:
India Predicted XI:
- Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper)
- Abhishek Sharma
- Ishan Kishan
- Suryakumar Yadav (captain)
- Rinku Singh
- Hardik Pandya
- Shivam Dube
- Harshit Rana/Kuldeep Yadav
- Arshdeep Singh
- Varun Chakaravarthy
- Jasprit Bumrah
New Zealand Predicted XI:
- Devon Conway
- Tim Seifert (wicketkeeper)
- Rachin Ravindra
- Glenn Phillips
- Mark Chapman
- Daryl Mitchell
- Mitchell Santner (captain)
- Matt Henry
- Kyle Jamieson
- Ish Sodhi
- Jacob Duffy
Head-to-Head Record and Pitch Report
The historical record between these two cricketing nations in T20 Internationals shows India with a clear advantage:
- Total Matches Played: 27
- India Wins: 16 (including 2 in Super Over)
- New Zealand Wins: 10
- Tied Matches: 3 (India won two of these, one remained tied)
The pitch at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati is traditionally known to be a batting paradise with true bounce and consistent pace. The surface generally favors strokeplay, and teams batting first often aim for scores in excess of 180-190 to feel secure. The boundaries are relatively shorter, encouraging aggressive batting from both sides. The dew factor in the evening could play a significant role, potentially making bowling second more challenging.
Full Squad Details
India Squad: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Shreyas Iyer (available for first three T20Is), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (vice-captain), Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Ravi Bishnoi.
New Zealand Squad: Mitchell Santner (captain), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Bevon Jacobs, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Robinson, Ish Sodhi, Kristian Clarke.
Broadcast and Streaming Information
Cricket fans across India can catch all the action of the third T20I between India and New Zealand through multiple platforms. The match will be telecast live on the Star Sports network across various channels. For digital viewers, the game will be streamed live on the JioHotstar app and website, providing comprehensive coverage with multiple camera angles and expert commentary.
As the teams prepare for this crucial encounter, all eyes will be on whether India can maintain their dominant form or if New Zealand can stage a comeback to keep the series alive. The Barsapara Cricket Stadium promises to host what could be a series-deciding match filled with explosive batting, strategic bowling, and high-intensity cricket action.
