India vs New Zealand 3rd Test Prediction

If NZ Bat First

Predicted Score: 250-275

Two of their most experienced batsmen - Martin Guptill and Ross Taylor - have been a big disappointment on this tour and this is hurting New Zealand badly. Kane Williamson is set to return and his presence will improve what has been an insipid batting display. Tom Latham and Luke Ronchi are the only ones aside from him to have looked somewhat in control. New Zealand will need a big innings from these three if they are to get close to 300.

The Kiwi batsmen will yet again have to face an uphill task of confronting the Indian spinners on a wicket that is expected to offer good turn. So once again, it will be a contest between New Zealand batsmen and the spin pair of Ashwin and Jadeja. The pitch in the second test assisted the seamers and the two still managed to take eight wickets. They are joint favorites to be the top bowler for India and the visitors will find themselves in trouble if they bowl to their potential.

Our Prediction

New Zealand will be demoralized at the moment after having suffered back-to-back crushing defeats. What is going to shake their self-belief even more is that went down without putting up much of a fight in the second test - on a surface that was seamer-friendly. It was their best and perhaps the only chance to win a test against India on this tour, but they squandered it.

Now, they will once again find themselves battling against the Indian spinners on a turning track. Though Kane Williamson's return will bring some hope back into the New Zealand camp, they still will have to bat out of their skins if they are to end the series on a high.

Although India won't have the advantage of having played a test match at this ground before, we feel they are strong favorites to win this final test and take the series 3-0.