India secured a 2-0 lead in their five-match ODI series against New Zealand on Saturday, winning a rain-interrupted second contest in Wellington by four runs via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method. Wet conditions and a treacherous pitch limited the match to 47 overs per side, leaving New Zealand unable to defend their total of 134 runs, all out in 41 overs.
The home side struggled significantly against India’s disciplined seam attack. Daryl Mitchell top-scored with 55, while captain Mitchell Santner contributed 31. No other player managed more than 11 runs as unpredictable bounce proved difficult to handle. Gurnoor Brar led the Indian bowling effort with a career-best 4-30, including a crucial double-wicket over that dismissed Tom Latham and Glenn Phillips to leave the hosts reeling at 53-5. Auqib Nabi also shone, claiming his first two international wickets by removing openers Will Young and Tim Seifert to finish with 2-31.
India’s response was equally challenging as they faced testing conditions. They reached 113-7 after 26 overs when rain forced an early conclusion, putting them four runs ahead of the required par score of 109. KL Rahul remained unbeaten on 26 alongside Nabi, who was on one, having steadied the innings just in time. KL Rahul was at the crease on 26 and Auqib Nabi on one, with the pair having done just enough to put the tourists in front.
New Zealand’s bowlers initially threatened to derail the chase. Jacob Duffy took 3-35, removing captain Shubman Gill for a golden duck and Virat Kohli for seven. Kyle Jamieson added 3-35, including the vital wicket of top-scorer Shreyas Iyer for 30, which left India in a precarious position at 86-5.
This result follows India’s five-wicket win in Wednesday’s series opener in Auckland, where they restricted New Zealand to 185. The teams are scheduled to return for the third match of the series in Hamilton on Tuesday, with India looking to extend their dominance.
