India head into the third T20I of their five-match series against New Zealand with a golden opportunity to seal the contest and take a 3–0 lead. The match is scheduled for 25 January 2026 at the ACA Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati, with a 7:00 PM IST start under lights.
After dominating the first two games, India’s confidence is high. They opened the series with a 48-run victory in Nagpur, powered by a blistering Abhishek Sharma knock and disciplined bowling, and followed that up with a commanding 7-wicket chase in Raipur, featuring match-winning innings from Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan. That pair of results gives India a stranglehold heading into the Guwahati fixture, and a third straight win would all but settle the series before the teams move to Visakhapatnam and Thiruvananthapuram for the final matches.
India’s strategic focus for the Guwahati game has been on continuity and execution, particularly with the T20 World Cup 2026 irregularly on the horizon. The team management is expected to keep a similar core XI that delivered in the first two games, balancing star power with role clarity. Key batters like Suryakumar, Abhishek Sharma, and Kishan will again be central to India’s game plan, with bowlers such as Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, and Varun Chakravarthy tasked with maintaining control in conditions that could offer assistance to spin and variation bowling.
New Zealand arrive in Guwahati with their back against the wall. After two losses, they must regroup quickly to stay alive in the series and build confidence ahead of future assignments. The Kiwis have shown they can compete, but their inability to finish key overs and fracture partnerships consistently has left them trailing. Bowler and captain Mitchell Santner, along with the experienced middle order, will be critical if New Zealand are to mount a comeback.
The ACA Stadium in Guwahati has its own variables. While not historically one of the most high-scoring T20 venues, the pitch has been receptive to batting once the initial bowlers are out of the attack. Predictions suggest first-innings totals above 190 are competitive here, and dew may play a role later in the evening, potentially aiding the chasing side. That dynamic could favor India, who have shown they can chase aggressively without losing structure.
Fans will be able to watch the match live on Star Sports, with streaming available on JioHotstar — a key platform for viewers in India and abroad. Local supporters have already shown strong interest, with ticket sales and community buzz around the game building up over recent weeks.
On the tactical front, India might consider slight bowling adjustments to counter New Zealand’s middle order, especially early spin. Conversely, New Zealand will likely revisit their powerplay strategy to prevent early setbacks like those that have dogged them in the first two games.
As both teams fine-tune their plans, the narrative is clear: India are in control, aiming to seal a series win in Guwahati, while New Zealand need a sharp response to extend the contest and retain belief. With momentum firmly in India’s corner, the third T20I promises to be a compelling blend of pressure cricket and strategic chess — all under the backdrop of World Cup build-up.
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