India vs New Zealand 3rd ODI 2025: India Announces Playing 11 After Winning Toss and Electing to Bowl

Team India made a bold call in the India vs New Zealand 3rd ODI 2025 by winning the toss and choosing to bowl first. The match, held at a packed stadium, marked a crucial moment in the ODI series as both teams aimed to finish on a strong note. With changes in the Playing 11 and high expectations from fans, the encounter promised intense action.

Toss Update: India Chooses to Bowl First

Indian captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and decided to bowl first, citing favorable pitch conditions and the presence of early morning swing. The decision reflected India’s confidence in their bowling unit, especially the pace attack, to put pressure on New Zealand in the powerplay overs.

With dew expected later in the evening, chasing was seen as a smarter option. The Indian camp looked focused on restricting the visitors to a manageable total.

India’s Playing 11 for the 3rd ODI

Here is the official India Playing 11 for the third ODI against New Zealand:

1. Rohit Sharma (C)

2. Shubman Gill

3. Virat Kohli

4. Shreyas Iyer

5. KL Rahul (WK)

6. Hardik Pandya

7. Ravindra Jadeja

8. Kuldeep Yadav

9. Jasprit Bumrah

10. Mohammed Siraj

11. Arshdeep Singh

The inclusion of Arshdeep Singh added a left-arm pace option, while Kuldeep Yadav’s presence strengthened the spin department. The balance between experience and youth gave India a strong edge.

Key Players to Watch

Virat Kohli

Coming off a brilliant century in the previous match, Kohli was once again expected to anchor the innings if the chase became tricky.

Jasprit Bumrah

With his deadly yorkers and swing, Bumrah was India’s main weapon against New Zealand’s top order.

Shubman Gill

Gill’s consistency at the top made him a crucial player in setting the tone during the chase.

Know More: R Ashwin Slams Gautam Gambhir For Benching Arshdeep Singh

New Zealand’s Challenge

New Zealand entered the match determined to put up a competitive total. Their batting lineup, known for resilience, aimed to counter India’s pace attack with smart shot selection and partnerships.

However, facing bowlers like Bumrah, Siraj, and Jadeja was never going to be easy on a pitch offering early assistance.

Match Expectations and Strategy

India’s strategy was clear:

• Use swing and pace early

• Break partnerships quickly

• Keep the run rate under control

If the bowlers executed their plans well, the Indian batting lineup looked strong enough to chase down almost any target.

Final Thoughts

The India vs New Zealand 3rd ODI 2025 began with high energy as India announced a well-balanced Playing 11 and chose to bowl first after winning the toss. With star players in form and a solid bowling attack, Team India looked confident of finishing the series on a positive note.