Virat Kohli, Kuldeep Yadav seek blessings at Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain as India take on New Zealand in series-deciding third ODI; watch video

Former India captain Virat Kohli and spinner Kuldeep Yadav visited the Shree Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain on Saturday, where they offered prayers ahead of India’s crucial third One-Day International against New Zealand.

Focus on Series Decider in Indore

The series-deciding third ODI between India and New Zealand is currently underway at the Holkar Cricket Stadium. The contest comes after the visitors bounced back in the second ODI to prevent the Men in Blue from sealing an early series win, leaving the three-match series evenly poised.

Kuldeep Yadav Shares Temple Visit Experience

After the visit, Kuldeep Yadav spoke to ANI about his experience, saying: "It was a very good experience. It's been 9 years since I first had darshan here. It brings a lot of joy and bliss. By the grace of God, everything is good, and if his grace remains, we will perform well in the World Cup."

India Bounce Back After Heavy Defeat

India entered the second ODI high on confidence after clinching a thrilling four-wicket win in the series opener at Vadodara. However, the Men in Blue suffered a seven-wicket defeat in the second match, as New Zealand, led by Michael Bracewell, dominated the contest to level the series 1-1.

Standout Performances in Second ODI

Despite India’s loss, KL Rahul impressed with an unbeaten 112-run knock. However, New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell stole the show with a match-winning unbeaten 131, guiding the visitors to victory.

Kohli Reclaims Top Spot in ICC ODI Rankings

Earlier this week, Kohli regained the number one position in the ICC ODI batting rankings, overtaking former India skipper Rohit Sharma. Though Kohli managed only 23 runs off 29 balls in his first outing after reclaiming the top ranking, he achieved another milestone by becoming India’s leading run-scorer against New Zealand in ODI history.

[With ANI inputs]