India vs New Zealand 3rd ODI in Hamilton ended without a ball being bowled as rain disrupted play at Seddon Park, leaving Shubman Gill’s side 2-0 ahead
New Delhi: India maintained their 2-0 lead in the five-match ODI series against New Zealand after rain disrupted the third match at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Tuesday, November 10, 2026. The weather continued to interrupt proceedings despite a lengthy wait and a delayed toss. Shubman Gill’s team had hoped to secure the series with a victory, but persistent rain prevented the contest from getting underway
Rain Ends the Hamilton ODI Without a Ball Bowled
The third ODI between India and New Zealand faced weather trouble from the start. Rain and a wet outfield delayed the scheduled proceedings at Seddon Park, leaving both teams waiting for an opportunity to take the field.
Ground staff worked to prepare the playing area whenever the rain stopped. However, the conditions did not allow the match to begin. The contest was eventually abandoned without a ball being bowled. [verify: official final match result]
The result meant India continued to hold a 2-0 advantage in the series, while New Zealand missed another opportunity to reduce the deficit.
A Long Delay, a Toss, and More Rain
The weather affected the schedule well before the toss. Ground staff initially faced difficulties preparing the outfield after rain interrupted their work. The umpires also had to wait for suitable conditions before conducting an inspection.
The officials eventually cleared the ground for a shortened 40-over-per-side match. However, another spell of rain delayed proceedings again. The toss finally took place after the extended wait, but the improvement in conditions did not last long.
Rain returned shortly after the captains completed the formalities, forcing the ground staff to bring the covers back onto the pitch.
Why the Umpires Called It Off
The reduced playing conditions included a cut-off time of 7:50 pm local time. This deadline mattered because the teams needed enough time to complete a minimum 20-over innings each for the match to produce a result.
In simple terms, even after reducing the match to fewer overs, the officials still needed sufficient time for both sides to bat for at least 20 overs. If the weather prevented that possibility before the deadline, the umpires could not continue waiting indefinitely.
The match was ultimately abandoned.
Team News: India Retain XI, Matt Fisher Replaces Blair Tickner
India entered the Hamilton match with an unchanged playing XI. Gill backed the same combination that had helped India win the first two ODIs. The visitors wanted to maintain their winning momentum and take an unassailable 3-0 lead.
New Zealand made one change to their side. Matt Fisher came into the playing XI in place of Blair Tickner. Fisher had earlier featured as a concussion substitute during the second ODI, but this time he earned a place in the starting lineup.
Gill Wins the Toss for the Third Time in a Row
India captain Shubman Gill won the toss and decided to bowl first at Seddon Park. This marked his third consecutive toss victory in the ODI series. Gill wanted his bowlers to make use of the conditions and hoped the weather would allow the teams to play a full contest.
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner also made his plans clear during the toss. He backed his bowling combination and brought Fisher into the side for Tickner. However, the rain soon took attention away from the cricket.
New Zealand’s Home Record Under Pressure
Despite trailing 2-0, New Zealand had an impressive home record to protect. The hosts had gone unbeaten in their previous 11 bilateral ODI series on home soil. Their last series defeat came against India in 2019.
The ongoing series had therefore presented New Zealand with a significant challenge. India had already won the first two matches, both of which experienced rain interruptions and produced DLS results.
The hosts needed victories in the remaining matches to keep their hopes of drawing the five-match series alive. However, the Hamilton washout meant they could not make progress in that direction.
What’s Next? India and New Zealand Move to Tauranga
The teams will now move to Tauranga for the final two ODIs of the series. The fourth match will take place on Friday, November 13, while the fifth and final ODI is scheduled for Sunday, November 15.
India will look to finish the series strongly, while New Zealand will aim to avoid another defeat on home soil. With two matches remaining, both teams will hope the weather allows them to play uninterrupted cricket.
India vs New Zealand ODI Series 2026: Match Summary
| Match | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI | Auckland | India won by 5 wickets (DLS) |
| 2nd ODI | Wellington | India won by 4 runs (DLS) |
| 3rd ODI | Seddon Park, Hamilton | Abandoned |
| 4th ODI | Tauranga | November 13, 2026 |
| 5th ODI | Tauranga | November 15, 2026 |
