New Zealand all-rounder Michael Bracewell has called on his side to put together a full team effort ahead of the third T20I against India at Wellington on October 26, 2026. The Kiwis are 2-0 down in the series and must win to keep their hopes alive.
Across the first two matches, India managed to pull off victories from difficult positions, with New Zealand unable to contain the world champions once they found their stride in the closing stages of each game.
In the first T20I, New Zealand appeared to be in control when India were reduced to 167/5 in 14.3 overs. However, Naman Dhir struck an unbeaten 42 off just 15 balls in the death overs, while India skipper Shreyas Iyer contributed a composed 42 off 28 balls. The pair's partnership guided India to a four-wicket win and denied New Zealand what had seemed a likely victory.
The second T20I brought an even more dramatic turnaround. India slipped to 70 for five while chasing a target of 181, with the match appearing firmly in New Zealand's grasp. Naman again played a key role, scoring 31 in quick time and sharing a 42-run stand with Tilak Varma to revive the chase. Even so, India still needed 54 runs from the final four balls at one stage. Tilak and Nitish Kumar Reddy's calculated hitting in the last three overs, however, carried India to another win with a ball to spare. Bracewell acknowledged the series had been close throughout and expressed the team's desire to correct their errors at Wellington.
"I think it has been an exciting series so far. Obviously, we have been on the wrong side of both of those games, but I think it is been pretty evident in the finishes that it has been a very close series so far. Yeah, there is a few things that we would like to have back in terms of the last 2 games, but we will be looking to right those wrongs coming here in Wellington," Bracewell said, as quoted by the press.
What does Bracewell believe New Zealand need to do differently in the third T20I?
Bracewell pointed to the need for consistency across all phases rather than isolated good spells. He noted that the side had performed well for long stretches in both matches but had not been able to maintain that level at the critical moments when India pushed back.
"I think anytime you take on a top team in the world— there is a number of really good sides in international cricket— you have to be at your best, and I think we've been at our best for long periods of the game. It is just, yeah, getting a complete performance together. We spoke about as a batting group, and I am sure the bowlers did the same, just about doing what we do really well just for a touch longer. As I said, we have been in the game for long periods of the game, even on top at times as well. It is just about being clinical in those key moments, and India have been, and we have, yeah, I guess we would like to have a couple of those situations back and try something a little bit different," he elaborated.
How have Bracewell and Santner contributed in the middle overs?
Bracewell highlighted India's aggressive approach in the powerplay as a consistent pattern across both games and pointed to the spin partnership between himself and captain Mitchell Santner as a key factor in slowing that momentum during the middle overs.
"I think they have got off to pretty hot starts in the powerplay. It is definitely something they look to target as a team, so to be able to slow them down in the middle has been hugely beneficial. Mitch (Santner) has done that for years and years now, so it is always great to see him bowling so well and containing them," Bracewell said.
The all-rounder also reflected on his skipper's bowling contribution in the second T20I, where the latter took four wickets to put New Zealand in a strong position during that match.
"And then also the other night, taking 4 wickets as well was huge to get us into that game and put us right on top at that period. So there is, as I say, there have been a lot of positives to take of the first 2 matches, and we are really looking forward to tomorrow night and another opportunity to take on a world-class side," he concluded.
