Written by Sports Desk

January 25, 2026

IND vs NZ 3rd T20 Today Match Playing 11

India vs New Zealand 3rd T20 Match Playing 11: After a record-shattering chase in Raipur, Suryakumar Yadav’s Team India lands at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium today with one goal: securing an unassailable 3-0 series lead. The spotlight is firmly on the bowling department as Jasprit Bumrah is expected to return to the XI after a tactical rest, while all-rounder Axar Patel remains a fitness concern following a hand injury sustained in the series opener.

With the 2026 T20 World Cup just weeks away, the management is treating this as a high-stakes dress rehearsal. While the batting unit has been unstoppable, fuelled by Ishan Kishan’s blistering 76 and Surya’s return to form, the bowling has been leaky, conceding over 200 runs in the last game. Bumrah’s return likely means a seat on the bench for youngster Harshit Rana, as India prioritizes experience to shut down a dangerous New Zealand top order featuring Devon Conway and Glenn Phillips.

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India vs New Zealand 3rd T20I Pitch Report

The Guwahati surface is a verified “belter” with a history of high scores and short boundaries. With evening temperatures dropping to 13 Degree Celsius, heavy dew is a guarantee, making the toss a critical factor. Captains winning the toss will almost certainly choose to bowl first to capitalize on the sliding ball during the chase. For New Zealand, this is a must-win battle; another defeat today ends their hopes of a series comeback on Indian soil.

India vs New Zealand 3rd T20I Probable Playing XI and Squads

IND Predicted XI: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel/Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy.

NZ Predicted XI: Tim Seifert (wicketkeeper), Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (captain), Kyle Jamieson/Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy.

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Squads:

India Squad: Sanju Samson(w), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Shreyas Iyer, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel

New Zealand Squad: Devon Conway, Tim Seifert(w), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner(c), Zakary Foulkes, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy, James Neesham, Kyle Jamieson, Michael Bracewell, Kristian Clarke, Tim Robinson, Bevon Jacobs