Hamilton, Nov 2026 : Intermittent rain delayed the toss in the third and final One-Day International between India and New Zealand at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Tuesday, with fresh showers disrupting preparations just as ground staff were getting the playing area ready.
The match had already been under a weather cloud following heavy rainfall in Hamilton over the previous 12 hours. Although the rain stopped briefly, allowing the ground staff to begin preparations, another spell of showers forced officials to cover the pitch and square again.
The toss was originally scheduled for 2:30 PM local time (7:00 AM IST) but was postponed due to the interruption. Officials subsequently confirmed that the toss would take place at 3:02 PM local time (7:32 AM IST), with the match scheduled to begin at 3:30 PM local time (8:00 AM IST). No overs had been lost when the revised timings were announced.
Weather forecasts had raised concerns about the possibility of further interruptions. AccuWeather had issued a heavy rain watch for Hamilton from 3 AM on Tuesday until 1 AM on Wednesday, with the forecast indicating a 100 per cent chance of precipitation during the day.
Rain has been a recurring feature of the ongoing three-match ODI series, affecting both previous encounters. India's outdoor training session ahead of Tuesday's series finale was also cut short because of persistent showers, forcing the team to shift its preparations indoors.
India entered the final ODI with an unassailable 2-0 lead after winning both rain-affected matches. The visitors will now aim to complete a series whitewash, while New Zealand will be hoping to secure a consolation victory on home soil.
In the opening ODI in Auckland, India registered a five-wicket victory while chasing a revised target of 143 under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method. The visitors reached the target in 22.2 overs.
The second ODI in Wellington was also decided through the DLS method after rain brought the contest to an early end. India were declared winners after finishing at 113/7 while chasing 135, four runs ahead of the DLS par score.
With India already having secured the series, the third match offers New Zealand an opportunity to avoid a clean sweep. However, the weather remains the biggest concern, with both teams and spectators hoping that conditions improve enough to allow a full contest at Seddon Park.
