3rd ODI: Hardik Pandya Returns To India's Playing XI, MS Dhoni Misses Out

Hardik Pandya made an immediate return to India's playing XI, replacing Vijay Shankar in the third One-Day International (ODI) of the five-match series against New Zealand at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Monday. Meanwhile, an injured MS Dhoni missed out as India made two changes to the side that won the 2nd ODI. Pandya was sent home when from Australia earlier this month following sexist comments made on a popular television chat show. Pandya and KL Rahul were later suspended by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) but he was rushed to New Zealand to rejoin the side after the suspension was lifted last Thursday.

New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson won the toss and opted to bat with Mitchell Santner coming for Colin de Grandhomme in the only change for the hosts.

India have proven they will be the team to beat in the 2019 World Cup after a comprehensive demolition of third-ranked New Zealand in the first two matches. 

They won the series opener by eight wickets when bowling first, and took game two by 90 runs after electing to bat.

On Monday, India made two two changes in their playing XI. MS Dhoni, who has a sore hamstring, was replaced by Dinesh Karthik while Pandya returned for Vijay Shankar.

"It's good to have him back," captain Virat Kohli said.

"He's someone who has provided really good balance to the side. He can give you five or six overs and pick up wickets, and then his hitting power everyone knows."

New Zealand opted to play two spinners in the match with Santner joining Ish Sodhi.

"The spin throughout the series has been effective and naturally on a used surface you'd like to think they'll come into play a little bit more," Williamson said.

Teams:

New Zealand XI: Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Kane Williamson (captain), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Doug Bracewell, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult 

India XI: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli (captain), Ambati Rayudu, Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal

(With AFP Inputs)