India beat New Zealand by 4 runs via DLS in rain-hit 2nd ODI in Wellington
Synopsis
India scraped through in Wellington not on batting brilliance but on the weather's mercy — collapsed to 113/7 chasing 135, they were only three runs ahead of the DLS par score when the rain arrived. Duffy and Jamieson's three-wicket hauls made it a genuine battle, but Brar's career-best 4/30 had already set the foundation. A win India will take, however it came.
Key Takeaways
India defeated New Zealand by 4 runs via the DLS method in the rain-hit 2nd ODI at Wellington on 7 November 2026 .
Gurnoor Brar claimed a career-best 4/30 to help bowl New Zealand out for 134 in 41 overs .
India's chase unravelled badly — Shubman Gill out for a golden duck, Virat Kohli for 7 , and Rohit Sharma for 23 — before the rain arrived.
Jacob Duffy and Kyle Jamieson both took 3/35 each, turning the chase into a tense contest.
India were 3 runs ahead of the DLS par score at 113/7 in 26 overs when the match was called off at 23:00 local time .
Daryl Mitchell's 55 was the top score of the match, but it was not enough to prevent New Zealand's defeat.
India edged out New Zealand by four runs under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method in a rain-interrupted second ODI at Wellington on Saturday, 7 November, surviving a dramatic batting collapse to claim victory after persistent showers ended the contest with India on 113/7 in 26 overs while chasing 135. The win keeps India firmly in control of the series.
How the Chase Unravelled
India's pursuit got off to the worst possible start when captain Shubman Gill departed for a golden duck in the very first over, edging Jacob Duffy to Henry Nicholls at second slip. Virat Kohli, who briefly showed his class with a trademark cover drive, was then dismissed for 7 off 7 balls in the fourth over, caught at cover-point by Will Young off Duffy.
Rohit Sharma managed 23 off 28 balls, hitting a couple of boundaries and two sixes but never looking fully at ease against Kyle Jamieson, who eventually had him caught at second slip by Nicholls. India were 40/3 after 11 overs and in serious trouble when Axar Patel, promoted to No. 5, fell for 7, guiding a Matthew Fisher delivery to Duffy at third man — leaving the visitors staggering at 47/4 in the 13th over.
Iyer and Rahul Steady the Ship
Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul constructed a vital 39-run fifth-wicket stand to revive India's hopes. Iyer looked increasingly assured, hitting four boundaries and a six in a composed 30 off 46 balls, before Jamieson ended the partnership with a sharp in-seamer that Iyer could only fend to Tom Latham. Rahul, who had taken his time to settle, found momentum with a six and two boundaries before finishing unbeaten on 26.
Naman Dhir contributed 12 off 16 balls before Duffy removed him with a short ball pulled straight to Tim Seifert at deep backward square leg. Jamieson then accounted for Anshul Kamboj, edged to Duffy at third man, leaving India at 113/7 in the 26th over when the rain returned. With Auqib Nabi on one not out and India three runs ahead of the DLS par score, the players were forced off for the final time. The match was called off at 23:00 local time, confirming India's victory.
New Zealand's Bowlers Make It a Contest
Jacob Duffy and Kyle Jamieson both claimed three wickets apiece, returning figures of 3/35 each to rattle India's batting line-up and turn what looked a routine chase into a gripping contest. The match had already been reduced to 47 overs per side after a one-hour rain delay at the start, and New Zealand's seamers exploited the damp conditions to full effect.
Gurnoor Brar's Career-Best Haul Restricts New Zealand
Earlier, India's bowlers had skittled New Zealand for 134 in 41 overs, with Gurnoor Brar producing a career-best 4/30. Auqib Nabi and Anshul Kamboj struck early to reduce the hosts to 23/3, before Brar removed Tom Latham and Glenn Phillips in the same over to leave New Zealand struggling at 53/5.
Daryl Mitchell top-scored with a resolute 55 off 104 balls, sharing a 59-run sixth-wicket partnership with Mitchell Santner (31) to offer meaningful resistance. Brar broke the stand by dismissing Santner before returning to remove Nathan Smith. Axar Patel picked up two wickets, and Kamboj completed New Zealand's innings by bowling Blair Tickner, sealing a below-par total. Kamboj finished with 2/25.
Scorecard Summary
New Zealand: 134/10 in 41 overs (Daryl Mitchell 55, Mitchell Santner 31; Gurnoor Brar 4/30, Anshul Kamboj 2/25). India: 113/7 in 26 overs (Shreyas Iyer 30, KL Rahul 26*; Jacob Duffy 3/35, Kyle Jamieson 3/35). India won by 4 runs via DLS method. The series now moves to the third and final ODI, with India holding a commanding position.
Point of View
But this performance raises questions that a DLS result conveniently obscures. The top three — Gill, Kohli, and Rohit — mustered a combined 30 runs between them in a chase of 135, which on a flat pitch in normal conditions would have been a canter. That Duffy and Jamieson could reduce India to 47/4 suggests the top order's vulnerability to disciplined seam bowling hasn't been resolved. Brar's career-best is a genuine bright spot and signals an emerging bowling option, but India's batting fragility in ODI cricket remains a structural concern as the series reaches its final match.
NationPress
7 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did India win the 2nd ODI against New Zealand in Wellington?
India won by 4 runs under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method after rain ended the match with India on 113/7 in 26 overs, three runs ahead of the DLS par score. New Zealand had been bowled out for 134 earlier, and persistent showers prevented a resumption.
Who was the standout performer for India in the 2nd ODI?
Gurnoor Brar was India's standout performer, claiming a career-best 4/30 to help dismiss New Zealand for 134 in 41 overs. He removed both Tom Latham and Glenn Phillips in the same over to trigger a New Zealand middle-order collapse.
How did India's batting collapse unfold in the chase?
India lost three top-order wickets cheaply — Shubman Gill for a golden duck, Virat Kohli for 7, and Rohit Sharma for 23 — slumping to 47/4 in the 13th over. Jacob Duffy and Kyle Jamieson took three wickets each, reducing India to 113/7 before rain intervened.
What was New Zealand's highest score in the match?
Daryl Mitchell top-scored for New Zealand with 55 off 104 balls, sharing a 59-run sixth-wicket partnership with Mitchell Santner (31) to give the hosts some respectability after being reduced to 53/5.
What is the current state of the India vs New Zealand ODI series 2026?
India lead the series after winning the 2nd ODI by 4 runs via DLS in Wellington. The result sets up a decisive third and final ODI, with India holding the stronger position in the series.
