IND vs NZ, 3rd ODI: Hardik Pandya back in playing XI, Kiwis choose to bat first

New Zealand won the toss and opted to bat first in the third One-Day International (ODI) against India at Mount Maunganui's Bay Oval on Monday.

After winning the toss, New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson said his team would hopefully benefit (from the pitch) in the first hour.

"We do know that If we play our best cricket, we can beat anybody. It's important we execute our plans as best as we can," he said.

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There was just one change in New Zealand's playing XI with Mitchell Santner coming in for Colin de Grandhomme.

Williamson added that spin had been effective through the series and that the Bay Oval pitch will help spinners.

While Indian captain Virat Kohli, who look to seal the five-match series said, "This pitch will get slower and slower but under the lights, we felt the ball came on better, we won't mind bowling first."

India will enter the stadium with two changes in the playing XI, MS Dhoni has a sore hamstring so he has been replaced by Dinesh Karthik.

India have thrust recalled all-rounder Hardik Pandya as he replaced Vijay Shankar.

Pandya was sent home when from Australia earlier this month following allegedly sexist remarks made on a television chat show.

But he was rushed to New Zealand to rejoin the side after the suspension was lifted last Thursday.

"He brings great balance to the team. He can give you 5-6 overs and also play the big shots as well. It's brilliant, especially if you look at our away performances," said Virat on Pandya's addition.

Playing XI:

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

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