Rohit Sharma under scrutiny as India can seal series in third ODI at Hamilton
Rohit Sharma faces scrutiny as India aim to clinch the five-match series against New Zealand in the third ODI at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Tuesday, November 10, 2026; India lead the series 2-0 and seamer-friendly conditions are expected to challenge the visiting top order.
India's 2-0 lead has been built on Virat Kohli's standout innings at Eden Park while most other batters, including captain Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma, have struggled to find comfort in the fast-bowling conditions; Gill will not play the final two ODIs as he turns his focus to the opening Test in Wellington. The conditions in New Zealand have produced extra seam movement and variable bounce, prompting a cautious approach from several Indian batters. A rain-affected pitch at Seddon Park is again seen as likely to favour bowlers. A Test scheduled in Wellington is on the immediate horizon for members of both squads.
Rohit's returns in the first two matches — scores of 0 and 23 — have intensified attention on his form after he altered his approach over the last year to build an innings before launching attacks, a strategy that has produced mixed results. Kohli, by contrast, has looked comfortable and fluent in New Zealand conditions. The departure of Ajit Agarkar as chairman of selectors has been reported as removing uncertainty around Rohit's white-ball future, but consistent runs in challenging conditions remain a pressing requirement cited in coverage.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir may reassess the middle-order configuration after KL Rahul's unbeaten 26 in Wellington, which the article described as having "saved the day"; India had sent Axar Patel at No.5 to provide a left-right balance but Axar's technique is described as ill-suited to tracks with pronounced seam movement and variable bounce. The team has limited spin options in the XI, and Ishan Kishan is expected to take over wicket-keeping duties from Rahul for the final two ODIs as Rahul prepares to join the Test group.
India's pace battery has functioned well in the conditions, with Auqib Nabi taking wickets and pacemen Gurnoor Brar, Anshul Kamboj and Arshdeep Singh "delivering the goods" according to the report. Those performances have been aided by pitches that favour seam and bounce. With the Test starting in 10 days, the coverage noted there is little logic in playing Mohammed Siraj in Hamilton's third ODI.
New Zealand's batting has been described as underwhelming in familiar conditions, with Mitchell Santner losing the toss on both occasions and the top order failing to provide sustained momentum. The hosts have been further hampered by Devon Conway's concussion and Rachin Ravindra's injury, while Tom Latham has been "woefully short of runs" as per the report. The top three of Tim Seifert, Will Young and Henry Nicholls have not managed to assert themselves even in short phases.
Injury and selection updates for the third match include the absence of Blair Tickner with a concussion and the call-up of Kristian Clarke. The squads listed in the report are: New Zealand — Mitchell Santner (C), Michael Bracewell, Kristian Clarke, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher, Kyle Jamieson, Nick Kelly, Tom Latham (WK), Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert, Nathan Smith, Will Young; India — Shubman Gill (C), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Anshul Kamboj, Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar, Arshdeep Singh, Ishan Kishan, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav. The match is scheduled to start at 7:30 am IST.
A win for India in Hamilton would secure a 3-0 lead and clinch the five-match series, after which Shreyas Iyer is set to lead the side for the remaining ODIs in Tauranga.
