India vs New Zealand: No play in Hamilton! Rain washes out third ODI, India remain 2-0

NEW DELHI: Rain again played spoilsport as the third ODI between India and New Zealand was called off at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Tuesday. Despite the more than two-hour delay, the weather did not permit any play. The umpires eventually decided to abandon the match after the rain returned and created conditions unsuitable for cricket.India continue to lead the five-match series 2-0.Both teams will now travel to Mount Maunganui for the final two ODIs to be played on November 13 and 15.

Rain washes out the third ODI after the toss

Indian captain Shubman Gill won the toss for the third time in a row in the ODI series and elected to bowl. The toss was originally scheduled for 14:30 local time (7:00 IST) but was delayed by more than two hours due to rain and a wet pitch. The match was later reduced to 40 overs per side.However, just as the ground staff were removing the covers to prepare for the match, the rain returned, forcing them to cover the pitch again.There was still plenty of time to play a 20 over 20 match but the weather showed no signs of improvement. With the local cut-off time of 19:50 (12:20) approaching, the referees decided to call off the match.The forecast was already predicting a 90 percent chance of rain throughout the day.

India take a 2-0 lead

India won the first two matches of the series, both of which were affected by rain. The visitors won the opening ODI in Auckland by five wickets chasing a modified Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) target.In the second ODI in Wellington, India recorded a four-run DLS victory to take a 2-0 lead.With the third match ending in no result, India cannot lose the series. New Zealand will now need to win the remaining two matches to level the series.The washout also ended New Zealand’s streak of 11 consecutive bilateral ODI series wins at home. South Africa holds the record with 17 consecutive home ODI series wins between 2002 and 2007.

Shubman Gill’s last ODI, Shreyas Iyer to lead India

The third ODI was also the last match of the series for Shubman Gill and senior wicketkeeper-batsman KL Rahul. Both the players will now join the Indian Test squad in Wellington. Kuldeep Yadav, Anshul Kamboj and Mohammed Siraj will also join the Test squad.Shreyas Iyer will take charge of India for the remaining two ODIs in Gill’s absence.The fourth and fifth ODIs will be played at Mount Maunganui on November 13 and 15.