India lead 2-0 as third T20I against New Zealand scheduled for Oct 27 in Wellington
India have moved 2-0 ahead in the five-match T20I series against New Zealand after two run-chases, and the third T20I is scheduled for 12:30 PM IST on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at Hnry Stadium in Wellington.
India, described in the preview as the No. 1-ranked T20I side, produced two successful chases to open a 2-0 lead and sit one win away from sealing the series; New Zealand will be without Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson and must rethink their bowling combination after disappointing bowling and catching, a performance that left captain Mitchell Santner looking gutted.
Forecasts for Wellington show overcast conditions with a prediction of light rain in the morning in some parts, a likely match-time temperature of around 12°C and average humidity of 74%; the Wellington pitch is a drop-in surface expected to offer bounce and pace, conditions that the preview says make batting in the second innings the preferable option.
New Zealand’s named XI in the preview is Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (WK), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Bevon Jacobs, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (C), Nathan Smith, Kyle Jamieson, Jacob Duffy and Adam Milne. India’s listed XI is Sanju Samson (WK), Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Shreyas Iyer (C), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh and Prince Yadav.
The Dream11 guidance in the article names wicket-keepers Sanju Samson and Tim Seifert; batters Glenn Phillips, Finn Allen and Vaibhav Suryavanshi; all-rounders Mitch Santner, Michael Bracewell and Naman Dhir; bowlers Prince Yadav, Arshdeep Singh and Adam Milne. It lists Captain First-Choice: Sanju Samson || Captain Second-Choice: Mitch Santner and Vice-Captain First-Choice: Finn Allen || Vice-captain Second-Choice: Naman Dhir, and offers an alternative set with Captain First-Choice: Glenn Phillips || Captain Second-Choice: Tim Seifert and Vice-Captain First-Choice: Abhishek Sharma || Vice-captain Second-Choice: Michael Bracewell.
The preview states India have found various match-winners and that maintaining a long batting lineup has been effective; it also notes historical head-to-head figures cited in the piece, with India having won 21 out of 33 T20Is against New Zealand, New Zealand having 11 wins and one game abandoned. After two poor performances, the article backs India to win the third T20I to extend their series lead.
With India needing a single victory to clinch the five-match series, the confirmed next step is the third T20I on October 27, 2026 at Hnry Stadium, Wellington; for further updates the piece directs readers to follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube and to use the Khel Now Android and iOS apps or join their WhatsApp and Telegram communities.
