In a one-day game there are always a few clashes that decide the outcome of the contest. With India and New Zealand so well matched in all departments, this third one-day international in Mohali could come down to who wins those key clashes.
Here is a look at a few that could decide which team moves into the fourth match with a series lead.
Rohit Sharma vs Trent Boult: While Kane Williamson took the plaudits in the second ODI for his hundred, Boult was equally, if not more, worthy of getting the man of the match award for his outstanding figures of 10-2-25-2. Without such brilliant bowling, India would have cantered home in the chase. Boult will again be important for the Kiwis and his main target on Sunday will be Rohit, who is due a big knock. Rohit, of course, will be aware that he has a big target on his back and how he weaves away from that will decide if he scores big or not.
MS Dhoni vs Mitchell Santner: Dhoni likes to control the middle of the innings so that he can take the match to the end with the bat, and Santner is the one who looks to give the Kiwis the vital breakthroughs. So, stopping Santner from taking wickets and making sure the runs keep coming along will be key for Dhoni and India if they are to take control going into the business end of the innings.
Hardik Pandya vs Martin Guptill: Pandya has come up trumps so far in this series, but this battle of the two Mumbai Indians players could go the Kiwi way if Guptill has one of those limited-overs matches to remember. As good as Pandya has been with the new ball, if Guptill catches fire, there are very few bowlers in the world that can stop him.
Jasprit Bumrah vs the New Zealand middle/lower order: Bumrah just seems to keep getting better and better in the final overs. He was brilliant, and then some, in the second match in Delhi, firing in the yorkers at will and changing the pace quite brilliantly. The onus is on the likes of Corey Anderson, who knows Bumrah really well, considering the two have played together for years with the Mumbai Indians, Jimmy Neesham/Anton Devcich and Luke Ronchi to take the attack to the fast bowler to throw him off his rhythm.
