What Third ODI of the five-match series between New Zealand and India When Saturday, January 25, 2014, (14:00 local | 01:00 GMT | 06:30 IST) Where Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand The Teams India A chance to come back in the series and retain their status as the No. 1 ODI team in the world – India have all to play for in Auckland. Despite the 0-2 score line, India did not go down without a fight in either match. An improvement in a couple of areas will put them in good stead for the rest of the series. India’s first concern is the rustiness of their opening batsmen. In the first two ODIs, Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma were guilty of putting the team’s chase off target right from the beginning, failing to contribute after having taken time to get in. The two strokemakers must clear their heads and keep from going into the defensive shell. Historically, the spinners have played a crucial role in most of India’s wins. While the purview of their role is not as wide on overseas wickets, the fact that they haven’t been able to control the Kiwi run-rate has hurt India. MS Dhoni will not expect the tweakers to rattle the batsmen with turn but he has the right to be disappointed if they allow them to score freely in the middle overs. In the pace department, Ishant Sharma is India’s biggest concern. New Zealand With the exception of grassing a couple of catches, New Zealand haven’t put a foot wrong in the first two ODIs. Where they have been most impressive is in seizing the crucial moments, the ones that have swung the pendulum of momentum in their favour. Whether it is breaking a flourishing partnership or playing a game-changing over with the bat, the hosts have created opportunities for themselves. Kyle Mills proved to be a worthy replacement to the injured Adam Milne in Hamilton and Brendon McCullum will be averse to changing the winning combination as they aim to seal the series in Auckland. Key Players India The burden of India’s batting has rested on the shoulders of Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni so far and it is high time the duo received some support from their colleagues. Ajinkya Rahane and Suresh Raina showed some sign of form in Hamilton and the Indian skipper will demand they build on the starts. New Zealand Brendon McCullum was realistic in his expectations from Corey Anderson, the batsman, after the latter’s 68-run knock in the first ODI. However, the all-rounder gave a more superlative performance in the second match, smashing a 17-ball 44. In addition, he has picked five wickets from the first two games, hence making him New Zealand’s most potent weapon. Statistics Matches at Auckland

Result summary:

Pace vs Spin

(last 5 matches)

Average first innings score

Trivia Only two sides have managed to win a five-match series after being 0-2 down in the series- South Africa in Pakistan in 2003-04 and Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe in Bangladesh in 2004-05. Mohammad Shami has taken at least three wickets in last five one-day internationals. Another three-wicket haul and he will equal Pakistan’s Umar Gul’s ODI record of taking at least three wickets in six consecutive matches. Corey Anderson has hit more sixes (30) than fours (28) in his ODI career. The Squads India: M.S. Dhoni (Capt/wk), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Ambati Rayudu, Suresh Raina, R. Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Amit Mishra, Ishwar Pandey, Stuart Binny, Varun Aaron. New Zealand: Brendon McCullum (capt/wk), Corey Anderson, Martin Guptill, Mitchell McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Hamish Bennett, James Neesham, Luke Ronchi, Jesse Ryder, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson.