"The Indian team have got a diamond" - Ajinkya Rahane picks the players to watch out for in NZ vs IND 2026 3rd T20I

Cricketer-turned-commentator Ajinkya Rahane has picked Naman Dhir among the players to watch out for in the third T20I between India and New Zealand. He pointed out that the Men in Blue have unearthed a diamond in the spin-bowling all-rounder.

India will face New Zealand in the third T20I of the five-match series in Wellington on Tuesday, October 27. The visitors would hope to seal the series after registering four-wicket wins in the first two games.

Previewing the game on SonyLIV, Rahane chose Abhishek Sharma and Dhir as the Indian players in focus in the third T20I.

"From the Indian team, I want to see Abhishek Sharma scoring runs. He is in good form and rhythm. Him scoring runs will be a good sign for Team India. Sanju Samson has contributed in the first T20I. So if Abhishek scores more than 50, it would be good for his form as well," the former India batter said.

"Apart from him, I would once again want to see Naman Dhir's consistency, as to what mindset he plays with. He remains calm and composed, and the Indian team have got a diamond at that number. So, I am very happy for him. I want to see him performing again," he added.

Abhishek Sharma has aggregated 56 runs at a strike rate of 169.69 in his two innings in the ongoing series. Naman Dhir has smashed 73 runs at a strike rate of 228.12 in his two knocks.

"The 2 openers" - Ajinkya Rahane on the New Zealand players to watch out for in NZ vs IND 2026 3rd T20I

In the same interaction, Ajinkya Rahane picked Finn Allen and Tim Seifert as the New Zealand players to watch out for in the third T20I.

"The two openers, because I have played with them. They were with me in KKR. Both are excellent players in any case, but are also excellent human beings. In general, all New Zealand players are excellent human beings. So I want to see that firepower returning so that we get to see a good match. If both of them fire, we know New Zealand would make a big score," he said.

The former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain added that the Kiwi seamers would also be in focus in the must-win game for the home side.

"Apart from them, I want to see their fast bowlers performing well, because they have struggled a little. The New Zealand spinners have bowled extremely well. So I want to see the New Zealand fast-bowling unit and the two openers doing well, and it should be a good match," Rahane observed.

While Mitchell Santner delivered a potent spell of 4/21 in four overs, Michael Bracewell registered decent figures of 0/35 in his four overs in the second T20I. On the flip side, the New Zealand seamers conceded 123 runs while picking up two wickets in their combined 11.5 overs.

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