Trailing 0-2 in the five-match T20I series against India, New Zealand find themselves in a must-win situation in the third match on Tuesday. India arrive at Wellington having chased down 226 and 181 at Hagley Oval.
Fielding has been an area of concern for the hosts, with four dropped catches and missed run-outs on Saturday night alone.
The hosts now have to find a way without two of their pacers. While Matt Henry left the T20I squad to join the ODI group, Lockie Ferguson sits out Wellington before returning for the last two matches.
Meanwhile, Blair Tickner has been added for the remainder of the series, with Matt Fisher travelling as cover.
Wellington offers a different problem to Christchurch, with square boundaries of around 60 metres and the wind that gives the ground its reputation. The first-innings average here in T20Is is 153.
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New Zealand vs. India 3rd T20I live stream and TV channel
Here is how to watch the third T20I in India:
- TV channel: Sony Sports Network.
- Live stream: Sony LIV
Viewers in India can follow the match live on Sony Sports Network, while the Sony LIV app and website will carry the live stream.
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What time does the New Zealand vs. India 3rd T20I start?
The third T20I will be played at the Hnry Stadium, also known as Sky Stadium, in Wellington on Tuesday, October 27.
Play is scheduled to begin at 8:00 PM local time (NZDT), which is 12:30 PM IST for viewers in India.
New Zealand vs. India 3rd T20I team news, lineups
The absence of Henry and Ferguson force New Zealand into their first real reshuffle of the series, with Tickner and Nathan Smith likely to share the new ball alongside Jacob Duffy.
Glenn Phillips has been their best batter by a distance, with 152 runs across the two matches.
New Zealand predicted XI: Tim Seifert (wk), Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Nathan Smith, Jacob Duffy, Blair Tickner, and Ish Sodhi.
India are expected to name an unchanged side for the third T20I. Ishan Kishan remains out with a groin strain, which keeps Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the XI, and Tilak Varma has settled into the finisher's role after his 51* off 26 balls in Christchurch.
The one name worth watching is Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who has conceded 99 runs in eight overs across the series for a single wicket since returning to the side.
India predicted XI: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, and Prince Yadav.
New Zealand vs. India T20I 2026 schedule and venues
| Match | Date | Time (IST) | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st T20I | Oct. 22 | 12:30 p.m. | Hagley Oval, Christchurch | Ind won by 4 wkts |
| 2nd T20I | Oct. 24 | 12:30 p.m. | Hagley Oval, Christchurch | Ind won by 4 wkts |
| 3rd T20I | Oct. 27 | 12:30 p.m. | Hnry Stadium, Wellington | |
| 4th T20I | Oct. 30 | 12:30 p.m. | Eden Park, Auckland | |
| 5th T20I | Nov. 1 | 12:30 p.m. | Seddon Park, Hamilton |
New Zealand vs. India 3rd T20I: Betting odds
India are the favourites to win the third T20I at 1.65 on Dafa, while New Zealand's odds to win are 2.20.
* Odds are correct at the time of publication but subject to change.
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| New Zealand | 2.20 |
| India | 1.65 |