# Rohit Sharma in focus as India eye series-clinching win over New Zealand _India lead the five-match ODI series 2-0 ahead of the third game in Hamilton._ - Publisher: Apex Sports News (https://apexsportsnews.in) - Canonical URL: https://apexsportsnews.in/news/rohit-sharma-in-focus-as-india-eye-series-clinching-win-over-new-zealand - Author: Rohit, Sports writer (https://apexsportsnews.in/author/rohit) - Published: 2026-11-09T07:08:03.718Z - Section: Cricket > ODI Cricket - Topics: India, New Zealand, Shubman Gill, ODI series, Rohit Sharma ## Summary India can seal the series in Hamilton on November 10, 2026. Rohit Sharma has scored 0 and 23 in the first two ODIs. Shubman Gill will miss the last two games to prepare for the Test series. ## Key takeaways - India lead New Zealand 2-0 in the five-match ODI series - The third ODI takes place at Seddon Park, Hamilton on November 10, 2026 - Rohit Sharma has made 0 and 23 in the first two games - Shubman Gill will leave after this game to prepare for the opening Test in Wellington - Shreyas Iyer will captain India for the last two ODIs ## Article India can seal the five-match ODI series against New Zealand in the third game at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Tuesday, November 10, 2026. India leads the rubber 2-0, but only Virat Kohli has looked comfortable in conditions that have suited fast bowlers. Skipper Shubman Gill and experienced batter Rohit Sharma have struggled so far. New Zealand is injury-ravaged, and the cold, wet conditions at Seddon Park could make the third game another rain-curtailed affair, turning the track into a paradise for seam movement and extra bounce. ## Gill's priorities and leadership change For Gill, ensuring a series win will be top of the agenda as he will not play the last two games of the series. He will shift his focus to red-ball cricket to prepare for the opening Test against the Black Caps scheduled to be played in Wellington. A good knock and a series-clinching win will be a big boost for the skipper before he leads the team in a crucial Test series, leaving Shreyas Iyer in charge of the side for the last two ODIs. ## Rohit Sharma's form under scrutiny Against this backdrop, the 39-year-old former skipper will have to do better than his contributions of 0 and 23 in the first two games of the series. Rohit, over the last year, has changed his approach and prefers to build a foundation before launching an all-out attack. The philosophy, a marked shift from his high-risk, high-reward game until the 2023 ODI World Cup, has yielded mixed results. The conditions in New Zealand so far have warranted a cautious approach, but Rohit hasn't looked comfortable in either of the two games, unlike Kohli, who looked in sublime touch even during his brief stay in the second ODI in Wellington. ## Batting order and bowling options 5 ahead of the far more accomplished KL Rahul, whose brief but classy unbeaten 26 saved the day in Wellington. The move to send Axar ahead of Rahul was based on the need to have a left-hander in the middle order, with all the top four batters being right-handed. But Axar's game isn't suited to conditions where there is additional seam movement along with disconcerting variable bounce. Since he is the only specialist spinner in the line-up and none of the top-order batters bowl regularly, Gambhir doesn't have the option of playing a more flamboyant player like Ishan Kishan at that slot. ## Pace attack and New Zealand's struggles As far as New Zealand is concerned, its performance in familiar conditions has been nothing short of underwhelming. ## Series context and upcoming fixtures The third ODI is part of the India in New Zealand, 5 ODI Series, 2026. The 4th ODI is scheduled at Mount Maunganui on November 13, 2026, and the 5th ODI is scheduled at Mount Maunganui on November 15, 2026. The opening Test against the Black Caps is scheduled to be played in Wellington. ### Related on Apex Sports News - [India vs New Zealand: 2nd ODI preview, team news and where to watch](https://apexsportsnews.in/news/india-vs-new-zealand-2nd-odi-preview-team-news-and-where-to-watch) - [Labuschagne dropped for New Zealand Test series](https://apexsportsnews.in/news/labuschagne-dropped-for-new-zealand-test-series) - [Josh Tongue ruled out of England ODI series against Australia due to toe injury](https://apexsportsnews.in/news/josh-tongue-ruled-out-of-england-odi-series-against-australia-due-to-toe-injury) ### Sources - [NDTV Sports](https://sports.ndtv.com/new-zealand-vs-india-2026-27/3rd-odi-rohit-sharma-in-focus-as-india-eye-series-clinching-win-over-new-zealand-12301829#publisher=newsstand) - [Sportstar](https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/india-vs-new-zealand-3rd-odi-shubman-gill-eyes-series-win-ind-nz/article71681537.ece) - [The Hindu](https://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/india-vs-new-zealand-third-odi-in-hamilton-on-november-10-2026/article71681389.ece) - [Photo: Prime Minister's Office, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=129470030) --- Source: Apex Sports News, https://apexsportsnews.in/news/rohit-sharma-in-focus-as-india-eye-series-clinching-win-over-new-zealand. 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