India claimed a four-run victory over New Zealand via the DLS method in Wellington on Saturday, extending their series lead to 2-0 in the five-match ODI contest.
Chasing a target of 135 at the Hnry Stadium, India slipped to 86/5 as Kyle Jamieson removed Shreyas Iyer for 30. Rain subsequently stopped play with the visitors at 113/7 after 22.4 overs, ahead on the DLS par score of 109 as reported by Yahoo. KL Rahul contributed a gritty unbeaten knock of 26 from 38 balls according to Timesnownews.
India won the toss and opted to field, with the match referee being Ranjan Madugalle. The playing XI for New Zealand featured Will Young, Tim Seifert, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham as wicket-keeper, Glenn Phillips, captain Mitchell Santner, Nathan Smith, Kyle Jamieson, Jacob Duffy, and Blair Tickner. India’s starting lineup included Rohit Sharma, captain Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, wicket-keeper KL Rahul, Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Anshul Kamboj, Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar, and Arshdeep Singh. Nitish Kumar Reddy was unavailable for selection after joining India A ahead of an upcoming Test series, while New Zealand played without the injured Devon Conway. Matt Henry was set for a return for the injury-hit New Zealand side in Wellington.
New Zealand Collapses in the First Innings
New Zealand were bowled out for 134 in 41 overs after India won the toss and opted to field. The home side suffered a middle-to-death order collapse, sliding from 112/5 to 132/9 before finishing at 134 all out according to Cricketnews. Jacob Duffy set the tone early with an incisive burst using the new ball, having Indian captain Shubman Gill caught behind for a golden duck and dismissing Virat Kohli cheaply for 7 to leave India staggered at 17/2. Kyle Jamieson and Jacob Duffy both claimed three wickets each during the encounter.
Gurnoor Brar led India’s bowling attack with figures of 10-2-30-4, earning the Player of the Match award as noted by Indiatoday.
Wellington Weather Disruptions
Weather forecasts indicated a 60 per cent chance of precipitation in Wellington on Saturday, dropping marginally to 55 per cent in the second half of the day. Showers were forecast around the scheduled start, creating challenging conditions with the pitch kept under covers for days prior and overcast weather favoring India’s pacers.
Upcoming Match Schedule in New Zealand
The five-match series moves to Seddon Park in Hamilton for the third ODI on Tuesday, November 10, followed by matches at the Bay Oval in Tauranga on November 13 and November 15 per Cricketnews schedules.
Earlier coverage: India Reach 122 for Three Against New Zealand in Fifth T20I