Cricket News: High-flying India look to win series vs New Zealand, Pandya likely to return

High-flying India is all set to face New Zealand in the 3rd ODI at the Bay Oval on Monday. The match comes just a day after India’s victor by 90 runs in the second ODI. It was business as usual for the Men in Blue on Saturday as they outclassed the Black Caps in every department to eventually win the match comprehensively. India will look to replicate the form of the first two ODIs and take an unassailable lead in the five-match series when they take on hosts. This will also be Kohli’s last match of the tour and he will want to ensure his team clinches the series before he leaves for India. His absence will open up a slot in the playing XI but India is expected to not tinker too much with the winning combination for the 3rd ODI. But who knows Hardik Pandya gets this game as he has reached New Zealand. As for the hosts, after a successful series against Sri Lanka, things suddenly look very gloomy. The top-order is not firing and neither is the middle-order holding up. The Kiwis do not have any batsmen in the reserves either which is a matter of worry for the Williamson and Co.