India’s seam bowlers thrived in helpful conditions for a second consecutive one-day international, beating New Zealand by four runs under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method in a rain-affected second one-day international in Wellington on Saturday, taking a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
Chasing New Zealand’s 134 all out, India reached 113 for 7 off 26 overs when rain ended play, four runs ahead of the DLS par score of 109. KL Rahul was unbeaten on 26 and Auqib Nabi on one, having done enough to put the tourists in front in a contest reduced to a maximum of 47 overs per side by wet conditions.
New Zealand were bowled out in 41 overs, Daryl Mitchell top-scoring with a watchful 55 and captain Mitchell Santner adding 31. No other home batter scored more than 11, with many of them undone by unpredictable bounce and tight Indian seam bowling. Gurnoor Brar returned career-best ODI figures of 4 for 30, making a double-strike in the 20th over to remove Tom Latham and Glenn Phillips cheaply when New Zealand were 53 for 5. Auqib Nabi claimed his first two international wickets, dismissing openers Will Young and Tim Seifert to finish with 2 for 31.
India’s chase never looked comfortable. New Zealand seamer Jacob Duffy (3 for 35) dismissed Indian captain Shubman Gill for a golden duck and Virat Kohli for seven. Paceman Kyle Jamieson (3 for 35) removed top-scorer Shreyas Iyer for 30, leaving India teetering at 86 for 5.
India won the rain-hit series opener in Auckland on Wednesday by five wickets after bowling out New Zealand for 185. The third ODI is scheduled for Tuesday in Hamilton, where India can wrap up the series.
The front page in your inbox each weekday morning: the lead, the picks, and why each one earned its place.
Runs scored in India vs New Zealand second ODI
runs
India's score is from their innings of 26 overs, when rain ended play. Source: Al Jazeera
§
Analysis
Why This Matters
India now need one more win to clinch the five-match series, keeping their momentum ahead of future international fixtures.
New Zealand’s batting struggles in helpful bowling conditions raise concerns about their ODI depth with a World Cup cycle approaching.
Rain interruptions have shaped both matches, prompting questions about scheduling and ground drainage in New Zealand's early summer.
Background
New Zealand and India are contesting a five-match ODI series, with the first match in Auckland also rain-affected and won by India. The series is part of both teams' preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy and the 2027 World Cup. India hold the top spot in the ICC ODI rankings, while New Zealand are fourth.
What to Watch
The outcome of the third ODI in Hamilton on Tuesday, where India can seal the series.
New Zealand’s top-order response after successive collapses against India’s seam attack.
Weather forecasts for Hamilton: further rain could determine whether the series is decided on DLS again.
SupportedIndia were 113 for 7 after 26 overs, four runs ahead of the DLS par score of 109 when rain ended play.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “India were 113-7 off 26 overs when rain ended play, four runs ahead of the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern par score of 109.”
SupportedGurnoor Brar took 4 for 30, his best ODI figures, and removed Tom Latham and Glenn Phillips in the 20th over.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Gurnoor Brar produced his best ODI figures of 4-30, making a key double-strike in the 20th over when he removed Tom Latham and Glenn Phillips cheaply”
SupportedAuqib Nabi took his first two international wickets, dismissing Will Young and Tim Seifert, and finished with 2 for 31.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Auqib Nabi claimed his first two international wickets, taking openers Will Young and Tim Seifert to finish with 2-31.”
SupportedJacob Duffy took 3 for 35 and dismissed Shubman Gill for a golden duck and Virat Kohli for seven.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Jacob Duffy (3-35) dismissed Indian captain Shubman Gill for a golden duck and Virat Kohli for seven.”
SupportedThe third ODI is scheduled for Tuesday in Hamilton, where India can clinch the series with another win.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “They require one more win to wrap up the five-match series, heading into game three in Hamilton on Tuesday.”