Overview:
India have played 7 ODIs at Holkar Stadium and won all 7 matches. New Zealand have faced India here in ODIs and lost, including a defeat by nearly 100 runs in 2023.
The India vs New Zealand ODI series heads into a decisive third match after New Zealand produced a commanding performance in the second ODI at Rajkot to level the series 1-1. After losing the opening game, New Zealand responded strongly, chasing down a competitive Indian total with authority and composure. The result has set up a high pressure decider at Holkar Stadium in Indore, a venue known for producing high scoring encounters and favouring teams with strong batting depth.
In the second ODI, India posted 284 for 7 after being put under pressure early, before KL Rahul’s unbeaten century rescued the innings. New Zealand, however, made the chase look far more comfortable than expected. Daryl Mitchell played a defining knock, remaining unbeaten on 131, while Will Young provided excellent support at the top. India’s bowlers struggled to contain the scoring, and a missed chance proved costly. With the series now level, both teams will view the Indore encounter as a must win game, where execution under pressure will decide the outcome.
India Squad for ODI Series vs New Zealand
Shubman Gill (c), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (wk), Shreyas Iyer (vc), Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ayush Badoni (replacement for Sundar), Dhruv Jurel (replacement for Rishabh Pant)
New Zealand Squad for ODI Series vs India
Michael Bracewell (c), Adi Ashok, Kristian Clarke, Josh Clarkson, Devon Conway (wk), Zak Foulkes, Mitch Hay (wk), Kyle Jamieson, Nick Kelly, Jayden Lennox, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Michael Rae, Will Young
India Probable XI for the 3rd ODI vs New Zealand
Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (c), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ayush Badoni, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna
New Zealand Probable XI for the 3rd ODI vs India
Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Mitch Hay (wk), Michael Bracewell (c), Glenn Phillips, Zak Foulkes, Kyle Jamieson, Kristian Clarke, Jayden Lennox
Holkar Stadium, Indore Key Details
Holkar Stadium in Indore is one of India’s most established cricket venues and serves as the home ground of the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association. The stadium has hosted international cricket for over three decades and is known for its modern infrastructure and excellent playing conditions. Located on Race Course Road in Indore, the venue is centrally accessible and remains a favorite among players due to its compact dimensions and vibrant atmosphere.
The stadium was opened in 1990 and was earlier known as the Maharani Usharaje Trust Cricket Ground. It currently has a seating capacity of around 30,000 spectators and is fully floodlit, making it suitable for day night fixtures. Facilities include high quality dressing rooms, dedicated practice areas, media centers, and pavilions named after C K Nayudu and Mushtaq Ali. Over the years, Holkar Stadium has hosted ODIs, T20 Internationals, Indian Premier League matches, and domestic fixtures such as the Ranji Trophy. The venue has earned a reputation for producing run filled contests, highlighted by several memorable batting performances.
What Is the Pitch Like at Holkar Stadium, Indore?
The pitch at Holkar Stadium in Indore is widely regarded as one of the most batting friendly surfaces in India. Prepared largely with black soil, the surface offers true bounce and consistent pace from the very start of the match. There is minimal seam movement on offer, which allows batters to trust the bounce and play their shots freely. Stroke makers tend to enjoy batting here, particularly during the powerplay overs when fielding restrictions and pace on the ball combine to favor aggressive scoring.
The boundaries at Holkar Stadium are relatively short, especially square of the wicket, and the outfield is quick, further boosting run scoring potential. While the pitch remains largely consistent throughout the game, spinners can find some grip during the middle overs if they bowl with discipline and variation. Fast bowlers generally find limited assistance, with only occasional swing under lights. In white ball cricket, chasing has often been successful here, especially due to the presence of dew in evening matches. Teams usually prefer batting depth over bowling heavy combinations at this venue.
Key Stats at Holkar Stadium, Indore
Holkar Stadium has been a stronghold for India in One Day International cricket. India have played 7 ODIs at this venue and have won all 7 matches, underlining their comfort and dominance here. One of the most notable performances came in 2011, when Virender Sehwag smashed a record 219 against West Indies, a knock that remains one of the finest ODI innings played on Indian soil.
In ODIs, the average first innings score at Holkar Stadium is around 320 runs, which reflects how favorable the conditions are for batting. In a 2023 ODI against New Zealand, India defeated them by nearly 100 runs at this venue, adding to their impressive record. In T20 Internationals, India have played 4 matches here and won 3 of them. Overall, the statistics suggest that teams with strong top orders and the ability to sustain high run rates for long periods tend to succeed at Indore.
IND vs NZ Weather Forecast Will Rain Play a Role?
The weather forecast for the third ODI at Holkar Stadium in Indore on January 18, 2026, looks ideal for cricket. Clear skies are expected throughout the day, with no chance of rain or interruptions. This ensures that fans can look forward to a full fifty over contest without any weather related concerns.
Daytime temperatures are likely to range between 24 and 29 degrees Celsius, creating comfortable conditions for players. As the match progresses into the evening, temperatures are expected to drop to around 11 to 14 degrees Celsius, with humidity hovering close to 45 percent. Light winds in the range of 11 to 13 kilometers per hour are forecast but are unlikely to influence play in any significant way. Dew could play a role in the second innings, which may encourage captains to consider chasing after winning the toss.
India vs New Zealand Pitch Advantage for Which Side?
India appear to have a clear advantage heading into the decider at Indore. Their batting lineup is well suited to the conditions at Holkar Stadium, with players like Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul all capable of capitalizing on flat surfaces and short boundaries. India also possess greater depth in their batting, allowing them to recover even if early wickets fall.
New Zealand showed in the second ODI that they can exploit India’s bowling on batting friendly tracks, particularly with their sweep heavy approach against spin. However, their bowling attack lacks experience in Indian conditions, and containing India’s top order over fifty overs remains a significant challenge. With a flawless ODI record at this venue and familiarity with the conditions, India start the match as slight favorites, though New Zealand’s confidence from the previous game ensures a closely contested finale.
FAQs Holkar Stadium, Indore
1. What is the pitch report for Holkar Stadium, Indore?
The pitch at Holkar Stadium is flat and batting friendly, offering true bounce, short boundaries, and minimal assistance for fast bowlers, making high scoring matches common.
2. What are India’s and New Zealand’s records at Holkar Stadium, Indore?
India have played 7 ODIs at Holkar Stadium and won all 7 matches. New Zealand have faced India here in ODIs and lost, including a defeat by nearly 100 runs in 2023.