Persistent rain washed out the third one-day international between New Zealand and India in Hamilton on Tuesday, ending the hosts’ 11-series winning streak in bilateral men’s ODIs at home.
India, who arrived with a 2-0 lead in the five-match series, had already secured the series victory. New Zealand can now only aim to draw the contest in the final two matches at Mount Maunganui on Friday and Sunday.
The rain began on Monday afternoon and continued for much of match day, leaving little opportunity for play. A brief break allowed the groundstaff to prepare the surface, and India won the toss and elected to field in a match initially reduced to 40 overs per side.
However, the rain returned before the toss interviews had even finished. The covers stayed on as the downpour offered no sustained break, eventually forcing the match to be abandoned without a ball being bowled.
New Zealand’s run of 11 consecutive home bilateral ODI series victories was the second-longest of its kind. The streak has now ended, although the hosts still have two opportunities to avoid a series whitewash.
The weather has been a recurring concern during the tour, with New Zealand’s spring proving wetter than usual. The teams managed to complete the first two ODIs, despite interruptions and reduced overs, but the outlook for the remaining matches in Mount Maunganui is more promising.
The washout also marked the end of Shubman Gill’s ODI duties on the tour. India’s Test captain will now turn his attention to red-ball preparations ahead of the two-Test series. Shreyas Iyer is set to lead India in Gill’s absence.
New Zealand had also planned to give Matt Henry extra time with the team’s medical staff after he suffered an injury in a collision with Devon Conway before the series. Kristian Clarke was added as cover.
