NZ vs India 3rd T20: Mitchell's 89* Sets Up 199-Run Challenge

Wellington, October 27: The third T20 between New Zealand and India at Henry Stadium saw the hosts reach 198 for 3 after batting first, with Daryl Mitchell's aggressive 89 not out leading the charge.

New Zealand lost the toss and were asked to bat. The top order struggled as Tim Seifert was out for just 2, but the innings was revived by a strong second-wicket stand.

Finn Allen and Daryl Mitchell put on 86 runs in 43 balls for the second wicket, taking the score to 90. Allen made 40 from 25 balls with five sixes before he was dismissed.

Glenn Phillips was out for 17 after a 33-run partnership with Mitchell from 21 balls for the third wicket.

With New Zealand's innings in danger of losing momentum, Mitchell and Bevon Jacobs stepped up. Their unbroken 75-run stand came off 48 balls and carried the team to 198 for 3.

Mitchell was unbeaten on 89 off 52 balls, with five fours and five sixes. Jacobs made 39 not out from 23 balls, hitting four fours and one six.

India's bowlers struggled to find control. Bhuvneshwar Kumar went wicketless, conceding 40 runs in his four overs. Arshdeep Singh took 1 wicket for 33 runs, Axar Patel 1 for 36, and Nitish Kumar Reddy 1 for 38.

India's recent record offers encouragement. They successfully chased 226 and 181 in the two previous matches, and the 199-run target is not expected to be beyond them. However, they will need a good start to make the chase easy.

A successful chase would give India an unbeatable 3-0 advantage in the series.