Hamilton ODI abandoned without a ball bowled; India keep 2-0 lead, Iyer to captain

The third one-day international between India and New Zealand at Seddon Park, Hamilton, was abandoned because of rain without a ball being bowled on Tuesday, November 10. India stay 2-0 ahead in the five-match series, and Shreyas Iyer will take over as captain for the last two games.

The umpires called the match off late in the local afternoon, with at least 70 minutes still left before the 7:50 pm cut-off for even a 20-overs-a-side contest. Rain returned just as the covers were coming off for what would have been a 40-over match. The forecast had given a 90% chance of rain through the day.

A day of waiting

Play had been due to begin at 7:30 am IST. A wet outfield and then drizzle kept the covers on for hours, and the toss was pushed back by well over an hour. Shubman Gill won it for the third match running and chose to bowl, with India naming the same eleven that played in Wellington. The overs were cut to 40 a side, with a maximum of 8 for each bowler, but the weather never allowed a start.

The surface had been a worry from the start. As we reported on the eve of the game, the groundstaff had little time to prepare the pitch before the rain set in, and it spent long spells under covers.

How the series stands

India won the first ODI at Eden Park by five wickets on DLS. New Zealand made 185 and India were set 143 in 32 overs, a target they reached with Virat Kohli scoring 74 off 51 balls, as we reported. In Wellington, New Zealand were bowled out for 134 in 41 overs, and when rain ended the game India were four runs ahead of the DLS par score, which gave them the win. Gurnoor Brar took a career-best 4 for 30, in our match report.

Both wins came from the rain rules rather than full contests, and the third game has now gone to the weather as well.

Iyer takes over

The change in captaincy was planned. The selectors announced the squads on October 16, naming Gill to lead the first three ODIs and Iyer, his vice-captain, the last two, because Gill is due to prepare for the Test series. Our report on the squads has the full list. With the Hamilton game gone, Gill’s ODI captaincy of the tour ends after the two completed matches and a toss in the third.

Gill and KL Rahul are leaving the ODI group to join the Test squad, which gathers in Wellington. Kuldeep Yadav, Anshul Kamboj and Mohammed Siraj are also reported to be travelling with them. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan are expected to come into the eleven for the last two ODIs.

Why it matters for the series

With two games left, India need one more win to take the series, and the worst outcome open to them is a drawn series. New Zealand, who had not lost a bilateral ODI series at home since India’s 4-1 win in 2019, must now win both remaining games to level it at 2-2. The washout cost them a match they needed.

Iyer will lead a side without Gill and Rahul with the series close to being won.

What happens next

The teams move to Mount Maunganui for the fourth ODI on November 13 and the fifth on November 15, with Iyer as captain in both. After that, the focus turns to the Test series, for which Gill’s squad is already assembling in Wellington.