Not a single ball could be bowled after the toss in Hamilton; India leads 2-0 in the five-match series, New Zealand will be able to equalize only by winning the last two matches.
Soft-spoken Desk, Hamilton. The third match of the five-match ODI series being played between India and New Zealand was washed out due to rain. Only toss could take place in this match to be played in Hamilton, New Zealand on Tuesday. Due to continuous rain and the field being wet, not a single ball could be bowled. Ultimately the umpires decided to cancel the match.
With the match being canceled Indian team Has maintained its lead in the series. India is leading 2-0 in the five-match series after winning both the initial matches. Now even if New Zealand wins both the remaining matches, it will still be able to level the series. In such a situation, the Indian team cannot lose the series.
Shubman Gill won the toss and chose bowling
In Hamilton, Indian captain Shubman Gill won the toss and decided to bowl first. He had said that the team would like to carry forward the good performance done in the previous matches. India did not make any changes in its playing eleven.
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner made a change in the team. Matt Fisher was included in the playing eleven in place of Jacob Duffy.
The match was to be of 40-40 overs
Due to rain, the match was cut short and it was decided to make it 40-40 overs. For this, rules for overs and powerplay were also decided.
- A bowler could bowl a maximum of 8 overs.
- The first powerplay was to be from 1 to 8 overs.
- The second powerplay was scheduled from 9 to 32 overs.
- The third powerplay was to be from 33 to 40 overs.
However, the weather did not cooperate and despite all efforts the match could not start.
Covers were also put on the pitch and bowlers' run-up.
Due to the constantly changing weather in Hamilton, the ground staff had to install covers repeatedly. Initially the pitch was covered. Later, as the fear of rain increased, the bowlers' run-up area was also covered with covers.
After the light drizzle stopped midway, preparations were made to remove the covers from the field, but it started raining again around the toss. After this the pitch had to be covered again. Despite hopes of the weather improving, there was not enough time to start the game.
India and New Zealand hold the record for most canceled matches in ODIs.
The record of highest number of matches being canceled in ODI cricket is said to be held by India and New Zealand. According to available data, out of 1086 ODI matches of India, 44 matches have been cancelled. At the same time, out of 860 ODI matches of New Zealand, 44 matches have been cancelled.
Now the last two matches will be held in Mount Maunganui
After the cancellation of the third ODI, now the remaining two matches of the series are to be played on 13 and 15 November in Mount Maunganui. The Indian team will enter the field with a 2-0 lead, while New Zealand will try to level the series by winning both the matches.
India now has a great chance to win the series. New Zealand will face the challenge of returning to home ground. The eyes of cricket fans are now fixed on the last two matches.