Gurnoor Brar's 4-30 skittles New Zealand for 134 in 2nd ODI at Wellington
Synopsis
Gurnoor Brar's 4-30 on a two-paced Wellington surface shredded New Zealand's batting unit for just 134 in the 2nd ODI — their seventh wicket fell before they crossed 100. With every bowler chipping in and India needing only 135, the series is there for the taking.
Key Takeaways
New Zealand were bowled out for 134 in 40.6 overs in the 2nd ODI at the Basin Reserve, Wellington on 7 November 2026 .
Gurnoor Brar was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 4-30 from 10 overs .
Auqib Nabi , Anshul Kamboj , and Axar Patel each took 2 wickets apiece.
Daryl Mitchell top-scored for New Zealand with a patient 55 off 104 balls ; captain Mitchell Santner added 31 .
New Zealand were reduced to 23/3 inside nine overs and 53/5 before the Mitchell–Santner stand.
India require 135 runs to win and go 2-0 in the series.
Gurnoor Brar claimed a sharp four-wicket haul as India bowled out New Zealand for a meagre 134 in 40.6 overs in the second ODI at the Basin Reserve, Wellington, on 7 November 2026, placing the visitors in a commanding position to take a series lead. The disciplined Indian attack exploited a two-paced surface brilliantly, never allowing the home side to settle.
Early Collapse Sets the Tone
India made an immediate impact after electing to bowl, with Auqib Nabi striking in just the second over to remove Tim Seifert for a duck — the opener mistiming a drive to hand Anshul Kamboj a simple catch at mid-on. Will Young (6) followed shortly after, edging outside off to wicketkeeper KL Rahul, reducing New Zealand to a precarious 11/2.
Kamboj then produced a moment of fortune in his first over, with Henry Nicholls (11) getting an inside edge onto his boot before the ball rolled back onto the stumps. New Zealand were tottering at 23/3 inside nine overs, managing only 29 runs from the first 10.
Brar's Double Strike Ends any Revival
Gurnoor Brar took control of the middle overs with a devastating double strike in the 20th over, removing both Tom Latham (7) and Glenn Phillips (0) in quick succession. Both batters fell attempting pulls against his short-pitched deliveries, with Naman Dhir and Kamboj completing catches at deep square leg and fine leg respectively. New Zealand slid to 53/5, and any hope of a competitive total looked slim.
Mitchell and Santner Provide Brief Resistance
Daryl Mitchell showed characteristic resolve, compiling a patient 55 off 104 deliveries, laced with five fours and two sixes. He found a willing ally in New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner, who struck 31 off 38 balls, as the pair added 59 runs for the sixth wicket to offer some semblance of respectability to the innings.
That partnership, however, was broken by Axar Patel in the 35th over, who had Mitchell caught by Kamboj at long-off. Brar then removed Santner — edging behind to Rahul — before Axar clean-bowled Kyle Jamieson (7). The tail offered little, with Brar dismissing Nathan Smith in the 40th over and Kamboj wrapping up the innings by bowling Blair Tickner (2) in the next.
India's Bowling Figures at a Glance
The final scorecard read: New Zealand 134 all out in 41 overs. Among the wicket-takers, Brar finished with 4-30 from his 10 overs, while Kamboj and Axar Patel each claimed 2 wickets, returning figures of 2-25 and 2-28 respectively. Nabi contributed 2-31. It was a collective effort that left New Zealand with a mountain to defend.
India now step out to chase 135 at the Basin Reserve, with momentum firmly on their side heading into what could be a series-defining run-chase.
Point of View
Nabi, and Kamboj are not first-choice names in most people's ODI conversations, yet they executed a disciplined plan on a surface that demanded patience over pace. The more interesting subplot is Axar Patel's growing role as a death-overs enforcer — his dismissal of Mitchell at a critical juncture was the decisive intervention. A 134-target chase will tell us little about India's batting, but it will confirm whether this squad can close out overseas ODIs without drama — something that has historically been an inconsistency.
NationPress
7 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was New Zealand's total in the 2nd ODI against India at Wellington?
New Zealand were bowled out for 134 in 40.6 overs at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on 7 November. The total was their lowest against India in this series, built primarily on a 55 by Daryl Mitchell and 31 by Mitchell Santner.
How did Gurnoor Brar perform in the 2nd ODI?
Gurnoor Brar returned figures of 4-30 from his 10 overs, making him the standout bowler of the innings. He struck twice in a single over in the middle overs to remove Tom Latham and Glenn Phillips, effectively ending New Zealand's hopes of recovery.
Who else took wickets for India in the 2nd ODI?
Auqib Nabi, Anshul Kamboj, and Axar Patel each took two wickets. Kamboj finished with 2-25, Axar with 2-28, and Nabi with 2-31, making it a comprehensive all-round bowling effort.
Who top-scored for New Zealand in the 2nd ODI?
Daryl Mitchell top-scored with 55 off 104 deliveries, hitting five fours and two sixes. Captain Mitchell Santner contributed 31 off 38 balls, and the pair added 59 runs for the sixth wicket before Axar Patel broke the stand.
What target does India need to chase to win the 2nd ODI?
India need to score 135 runs to win the 2nd ODI at Wellington and move to a 2-0 lead in the series. The low target puts them in a commanding position on a ground where conditions have been challenging for batting.
