Rain had the final word at Seddon Park on Tuesday, as the third ODI between New Zealand and India was abandoned without a ball being bowled. The washout at Hamilton means India cannot lose the five-match series — they lead 2-0 with two games still to play, and the worst they can now manage is a 2-2 draw.
The BCCI confirmed the decision on X, posting that the match had been called off due to rain. It was a frustrating end to a day that never really gave the players a chance, and it also brought an end to one of the proudest records in New Zealand cricket.
"The third New Zealand-India ODI is called off due to rain." — BCCI
A day of waiting at Seddon Park
It started raining in Hamilton on the afternoon before the match, and it rarely let up after that. The Indian players were greeted by rain when they arrived at the ground, and the covers stayed on through the scheduled start time.
There was a brief window in the late afternoon. The covers came off, the groundstaff worked quickly, and the toss finally took place more than two hours late, with the match reduced to 40 overs a side. Shubman Gill called correctly once more — his third toss win in a row in this series, and his seventh in eight matches on the tour — and chose to bowl first. India named an unchanged side, while New Zealand brought in Matthew Fisher for Blair Tickner.
But the rain returned before the players could even take the field, and it never stopped for long enough to let the groundstaff get the covers off again. After repeated inspections, the umpires called the match off in the early evening, around 6:45 pm local time, with about 70 minutes still to go before the cut-off for a 20-over game.
How the series stands
Rain has now played a part in all three matches of the series, and the first two were both decided under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method:
1st ODI, Auckland — India won by five wickets in a rain-affected match.
2nd ODI, Wellington — India won by four runs via DLS, after reaching 113 for 7, four runs ahead of the par score when rain stopped play.
3rd ODI, Hamilton — match abandoned without a ball bowled.
With the series now beyond New Zealand's reach, the hosts can at best square things at 2-2 by winning both remaining games. India, meanwhile, have already banked the outcome that matters most: they cannot lose a bilateral ODI series in New Zealand.
New Zealand's proud home streak ends
The washout also ended New Zealand's run of 11 consecutive home bilateral ODI series wins, a streak stretching back to 2019 and the second-longest of its kind in men's ODI cricket. The Black Caps had not lost a bilateral ODI series at home in more than seven years, and the run finally came to an end without a ball being bowled in Hamilton.
It is a strange way for such a record to fall, but the series scoreline leaves no room for argument. New Zealand came into this match 2-0 down and needed to win to keep the series alive. The rain took that chance away, and with it the streak.
What changes for the final two ODIs
Both teams now move to Mount Maunganui, where the fourth and fifth ODIs will be played at Bay Oval on Friday 13 November and Sunday 15 November. The forecast there is much better, and both sides will hope for two completed games to finish the series properly.
There will be a change of captain for India. This was Shubman Gill's last match of the white-ball leg — he and KL Rahul now join the Test squad to prepare for the two-Test series that follows the ODIs. Shreyas Iyer will captain India in the remaining two ODIs.
New Zealand, meanwhile, have given Matt Henry some extra time with the national team medical staff after he injured himself in a collision with Devon Conway on the eve of the series. The two-Test series between the sides begins after the ODIs, and India arrived in New Zealand having already won the preceding T20I series 3-2.
Series at a glance
India hold an unassailable 2-0 lead in the five-match ODI series after the Hamilton washout, with the remaining two games at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, on 13 and 15 November. Shreyas Iyer takes over as India captain for those matches, while New Zealand must win both to salvage a 2-2 draw.
FAQs
Why was the third ODI between New Zealand and India abandoned?
Persistent rain in Hamilton made play impossible. The match at Seddon Park was abandoned without a ball being bowled, after the toss had been delayed by more than two hours and the game had already been reduced to 40 overs a side.
Who won the toss in Hamilton?
India captain Shubman Gill won the toss for the third match in a row in this series and chose to bowl first. It was his seventh toss win in eight matches on this tour.
Have India won the ODI series?
India cannot lose the series. They lead 2-0 with two matches to play, so the worst they can manage is a 2-2 draw if New Zealand win both remaining games at Mount Maunganui.
What happened to New Zealand's home winning streak?
The washout ended New Zealand's run of 11 consecutive home bilateral ODI series wins, a streak that began in 2019 and was the second-longest in men's ODI history.
When and where are the remaining ODIs?
The fourth ODI is on Friday 13 November and the fifth on Sunday 15 November, both at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui. Shreyas Iyer will captain India in both matches, with Shubman Gill and KL Rahul having joined the Test squad.
Conclusion
There was no cricket at Seddon Park, but the Hamilton washout still settled plenty. India leave with the series safe, New Zealand leave with a proud home record ended, and the two remaining ODIs at Mount Maunganui now decide whether the series finishes 2-0, 3-0 or 2-2. The weather looks kinder there — and after three rain-hit games, both teams will be hoping the cricket finally gets to do the talking.
Also on CricVic: India edge New Zealand by four runs in rain-hit 2nd ODI (DLS)
Also on CricVic: Men's cricket schedule, 8–30 November 2026
Sources: ESPNcricinfo — India hold on to series lead after washout as New Zealand's winning streak ends; Reuters — New Zealand v India ODI at Hamilton abandoned due to rain; BCCI (@BCCI) — match called off due to rain