India looks to take commanding lead as New Zealand fights back in Guwahati clash tonight
India vs New Zealand 3rd T20I: Cricket fans are in for an exciting Saturday evening as India takes on New Zealand in the third T20I match of the five-match series. The game will be played at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, and India is currently leading 2-0.
With three more matches still to play after tonight, this game is crucial. If India wins, they’ll take a massive 3-0 lead that will put them in the driver’s seat. But if New Zealand can pull off a win, they’ll cut the gap to 2-1 and keep the series alive and interesting.
India vs New Zealand 3rd T20I
What Happened So Far?
India has completely dominated the first two matches. In the second game at Raipur, they chased down a huge target of 209 runs in just 15.2 overs. That’s incredibly fast! Ishan Kishan smashed 76 runs from only 32 balls, while captain Suryakumar Yadav hit 82 runs from 37 balls. The New Zealand bowlers had no answers.
The biggest problem for New Zealand has been their bowling. They’ve given away over 200 runs in both matches, and their bowlers simply can’t stop the Indian batsmen. Even though they’ve scored decent runs themselves, their defense has let them down badly.
When and Where to Watch India vs New Zealand 3rd T20I
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | India vs New Zealand, 3rd T20I |
| Series | 5-Match T20I Series |
| Date | Saturday, January 25, 2026 |
| Time | 7:00 PM IST |
| Stadium | Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati |
| Watch on TV | Star Sports Network |
| Watch Online | JioHotstar |
| Current Score | India leads 2-0 |
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What’s the Pitch Like in Guwahati?
The Barsapara Stadium pitch is a dream come true for batsmen. The boundaries are really short, only 65-70 meters on the sides, and the ground is fast. This means the ball races to the boundary very quickly.
In previous T20 matches here, we’ve seen massive scores. Teams have scored over 220 runs several times. The pitch has good bounce, which helps batsmen play their shots freely. Bowlers might get some help early on with the new ball, but after that, it’s tough going.
One important thing to note is the dew. Evening matches in Guwahati often see heavy dew, which makes the ball wet and slippery. This helps the team batting second because bowlers struggle to grip the ball. That’s why whoever wins the toss will probably choose to bowl first.
Expect total scores between 180 and 220 runs, though it could go even higher if batsmen really get going.
India vs New Zealand 3rd T20I Expected Playing 11
India Likely Playing 11
India might rest some of their fast bowlers to keep them fresh for the remaining matches. Jasprit Bumrah, who didn’t play in the last match, should come back. There’s some doubt about Axar Patel because of a finger injury.
Predicted Team: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah
New Zealand Likely Playing 11
New Zealand will probably bring back Jimmy Neesham. He adds balance to the team as an all-rounder. Zak Foulkes had a terrible game last time, giving away 67 runs without taking any wickets, so he might be dropped.
Predicted Team: Devon Conway, Tim Seifert, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner (captain), Jimmy Neesham, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry
Players to Keep Your Eyes On
Indian Stars
Ishan Kishan is in red-hot form right now. His brutal hitting in the last match showed why he’s so dangerous. If he gets going tonight, New Zealand’s bowlers are in for another long evening.
Kuldeep Yadav is close to reaching a special career milestone. This spinner knows how to pick up wickets in the middle overs, and on this pitch, he could be very effective.
New Zealand’s Key Men
Rachin Ravindra has shown he can hit big shots, scoring 44 runs from 26 balls in the second match. He needs to do it again if New Zealand wants to get back in the series.
Mitchell Santner is the captain and their best all-rounder. He scored 47 runs last game and will need to do more with both bat and ball. His left-arm spin could be important in slowing down India’s big hitters.
Weather Report
Good news for cricket fans – there’s no rain expected! The weather will be clear all evening with temperatures between 15-18°C. It’ll feel a bit humid at around 80%, but nothing that will stop the game. Perfect conditions for an exciting match.
Past Record Between These Teams
India has beaten New Zealand 7 times in their last 11 T20I meetings. India is especially strong when playing at home, where the crowds and familiar conditions give them a big advantage.
Who Will Win Tonight?
India are clear favorites for this match. They have everything going for them: amazing batting power, good bowling options, home advantage, and they’re already 2-0 up. Their confidence is sky-high after chasing down 209 runs so easily in the last game.
New Zealand desperately needs a win to stay competitive in this series. They’ve shown some fighting spirit, but their bowling has been exposed badly. Unless they can find a way to contain India’s explosive batsmen, it’s hard to see them winning.
If India bats first, expect them to win by 15-20 runs. If they chase, they’ll probably win with 6-7 wickets in hand.
- My Prediction: India wins and takes a 3-0 lead
- Winning Chances: India 75%, New Zealand 25%
- Total Runs: Over 400 runs combined from both teams
What This Match Means for the Series
This is a crucial game in the five-match series. A win for India will put them 3-0 up with just two games remaining. That would make it almost impossible for New Zealand to come back and win the series. They would need to win the last two matches just to level it at 3-2.
For New Zealand, this is a must-win situation. If they can grab a victory tonight, they’ll be back at 2-1 and still have a realistic chance to fight back in the remaining two matches. Lose tonight, and the series is basically over.
What to Expect Tonight
The pitch will help batsmen, the weather is perfect, and both teams have explosive players. This should be an entertaining match with plenty of runs and big hits.
India will want to put their foot down and take complete control of the series. New Zealand will be fighting for survival, knowing that another loss could kill their hopes of winning this series.
Tonight’s match at Guwahati promises to be action-packed. Indian fans will expect their team to continue their winning streak, while New Zealand supporters are hoping their team can finally break through and get on the board.
With two more matches still to come after this one, both teams know that the momentum from tonight’s result will be important. Will India take a commanding 3-0 lead, or can New Zealand fight back and make this a real contest?
Don’t miss what should be an exciting evening of T20 cricket!
Catch all the live action on Star Sports and Jio Hotstar from 7:00 PM IST
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