Key Points:
- Series level at 1-1 after India won first ODI and New Zealand claimed second
- Kohli and Kuldeep attended 4 AM Bhasma Aarti at Mahakaleshwar Temple on January 17
- Coach Gautam Gambhir and KL Rahul visited the temple on January 16
- Kohli has managed only 99 runs in four ODIs at Holkar Stadium with a highest score of 36
- India has won all seven previous ODIs at Holkar Stadium
- The match proceeds despite Indore’s water contamination tragedy that claimed 15 lives
The Indian cricket team has arrived in Indore for the series-deciding third ODI against New Zealand, scheduled for January 18 at Holkar Stadium. With the series tied at 1-1 after India’s victory in the first match and New Zealand’s comeback in the second, the final encounter carries immense significance for both teams. The city, currently grappling with a water contamination crisis that has claimed 15 lives, hopes the match will provide a momentary respite from the tragedy.
Following the established tradition of visiting the Mahakaleshwar Temple in nearby Ujjain, star batsman Virat Kohli and spinner Kuldeep Yadav made their spiritual journey on January 17. The duo participated in the sacred Bhasma Aarti, which begins at 4 AM, and spent approximately two hours within the temple premises. They were seated in the Nandi Hall, where they chanted Lord Shiva’s name and observed the rituals with devotion. Temple authorities presented both players with prasad and a picture of Baba Mahakal after they offered prayers from the sanctum sanctorum threshold.
Security arrangements were intensified due to Kohli’s presence, drawing a massive crowd eager to catch a glimpse of the cricket icon. Despite the gathering, Kohli and Kuldeep remained focused on their spiritual observances. This visit follows coach Gautam Gambhir and wicketkeeper KL Rahul’s temple visit on January 16, continuing the team’s tradition of seeking divine blessings before crucial matches.
The Holkar Stadium holds special importance for Kohli, who aims to overcome his modest record at this venue. Across four ODI innings in Indore, the batting maestro has accumulated just 99 runs at an average of 33.00, with his highest score being 36. His individual scores at the ground include 23 not out against West Indies in 2011, 12 against South Africa in 2015, 28 against Australia in 2017, and 36 against New Zealand in January 2023. Notably, he has never scored a century or half-century at this batting-friendly venue, which features short boundaries and black soil pitches offering true bounce.
India’s dominance at Holkar Stadium provides encouragement, with the team winning all seven previous ODIs played there. The pitch prepared for Sunday’s match is expected to be a typical 50-over batting surface with a fast outfield and grass cover. However, winter dew in the evenings may favor the chasing side, adding a strategic dimension to the toss decision.
Ticket sales reflect the city’s cricket enthusiasm, with all passes selling out within two hours of release. The match offers Indore residents a temporary escape from the water contamination crisis that has hospitalized nearly 150 people, though the shadow of the tragedy looms over the sporting event. As Kohli and Team India take the field, they carry not just the hopes of breaking the Indore jinx but also the prayers offered at Mahakal temple, seeking divine favor for a series victory against the competitive Kiwi side.
