The controversy has returned to the spotlight after former Australia batter Usman Khawaja made fresh claims in his autobiography, "Sabr". Khawaja alleged that all members of the Australian team on the 2018 South Africa tour knew about the plan to tamper with the ball.

India lead the five-match series 2-0 after winning the first two games. The third ODI in Hamilton was abandoned due to rain. Brett Randell has played 145 professional matches, including five for New Zealand A. He recently returned from a stint with English county side Derbyshire in the County Championship.

Stuart MacGill has acknowledged using sandpaper on the ball during his cricket career, indicating it was not a deliberate cheating strategy. His admission follows recent statements made by Usman Khawaja in his memoir, which has reopened discussions on Sandpapergate. Cricket Australia maintains that the wider team was unaware of any wrongdoing during the 2018 Cape Town Test.

Auqib Nabi had a quiet start to the five-match series, returning figures of 0/33 in the first ODI, which India won by five wickets (DLS method). He bounced back in the second match, dismissing New Zealand openers Will Young and Tim Seifert to help India register a four-run victory (DLS method). The third ODI in Hamilton was abandoned due to rain, with India leading the series 2-0.