New Zealand vs India, 3rd ODI - Live Cricket Score, Commentary

Series: India tour of New Zealand, 2022 Venue: Hagley Oval, Christchurch Date & Time: Nov 30, 02:30 PM LOCAL

Daryl Mitchell caused problems with the ball. © AFP

Game called off

It was inevitable with the rain being relentless. The teams shake hands as India escape from losing the series 2-0. New Zealand deservingly walk away with the trophy after dominating two games.

The clock is ticking

We have been losing overs and we are definitely getting close to a stage where the game gets called off. Spectators have already started leaving.

Rain stops play

It was drizzling for a while and now it has gotten heavier. The players are heading back into the dressing rooms. New Zealand comfortably ahead at 104/1 after 18 overs but in terms of the DLS, two more overs need to be bowled in order to force a result.

Jinxed!!

No 100 for Allen tonight. The wait will continue as Umran Malik strikes for India. The partnership is broken three short of a hundred. It has come a bit late you must say with New Zealand needing only 123 more runs to win this contest. This was short and wide and Allen just toe ends it to cover. Soft dismissal but a job well done.

50 for Finn

He didn't look comfortable initially against the new ball when it was doing a bit but now Allen has settled down and is taking his chances. He smashes a six to bring up his fifty and you got to say the stage is set for him to bring up his maiden ODI hundred.

They are racing away now

The boundaries are flowing. India understandably look flat already. They don't have enough in the bank to defend and Allen alongside Conway is making merry.

Good start for New Zealand

It was a testing period initially but Finn Allen is slowly finding his groove and Devon Conway gets going finally in that final over of the powerplay to smash Deepak Chahar for four boundaries. New Zealand had only 28 runs in the first seven overs of the chase but after the 10th over, they already have 59 runs on the board. This should be a straightforward chase for them.

India 219 all out

Not sure why Washington reviewed that decision. The noise was quite clear when the ball went past his bat and was caught by the keeper but he goes for the challenge anyway. Replays confirm that there was indeed a nick. India are 219 all out. A poor performance indeed. New Zealand will fancy themselves to seal this 2-0.

272 22

Toss - NZ opt to bowl

No surprises as New Zealand opt to bowl with rain around. The surface has a greenish tinge as well so they will be looking to put India under pressure early. Adam Milne comes in for Michael Bracewell whereas India are unchanged. There will be a slight delay. The game will get underway at 7:10 AM IST.

Teams:

India (Playing XI): Shikhar Dhawan(c), Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant(w), Deepak Hooda, Washington Sundar, Deepak Chahar, Umran Malik, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal

New Zealand (Playing XI): Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson(c), Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham(w), Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Adam Milne, Matt Henry, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson

Build up

It's been the story of the series so far. NZC, next time you schedule a series in November, think again. We have had only two completed games out of five on this tour and the final game is all set to get affected due to rain as well. There's already a bit of drizzle out there and for fans, it is indeed frustrating. At a time when ODI cricket is fighting against the odds to keep pace with T20 cricket, the last thing we need is regular interruptions due to the weather.

India are still 1-0 down in this ODI series and that indeed appears like a long time ago since Tom Latham absolutely put that bowling attack to the sword. Kane Williamson did his bit too in that game. If we do get a shortened game today, India would dearly love their bowlers to stage a strong comeback in order to finish the series on a high. On the other hand, the batsmen will be under the focus as well. India's approach with the bat in the first 20 overs didn't go down well with the supporters. Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav did impress in the second game until the rain arrived and the focus will once again shift towards the former and Shikhar Dhawan when the innings finally gets underway.

Welcome to the live blog for this third and final ODI. If we do get a game, expect India to come out all guns blazing to try and walk away with a 1-1 result.