India will look to secure an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series when they take on New Zealand in the 2nd ODI at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot today. Following a hard-fought 4-wicket victory in the series opener at Vadodara, the Men in Blue enter this contest with momentum, while the Kiwis face a must-win situation to keep the series alive.
Match Details
- Match: India vs New Zealand, 2nd ODI
- Date: Wednesday, January 14, 2026
- Time: 1:30 PM IST (Toss at 1:00 PM)
- Venue: Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot
- Live Streaming: JioHotstar App & Website
- TV Broadcast: Star Sports Network
The Story So Far
In the 1st ODI at Vadodara, New Zealand posted a competitive 300/8, powered by Daryl Mitchell’s aggressive 84 and solid half-centuries from openers Devon Conway and Henry Nicholls. However, India chased it down with an over to spare, thanks to a vintage knock from Virat Kohli (93). Kohli’s innings was historic, as he became the fastest player to reach 28,000 international runs, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar. KL Rahul and debutant Harshit Rana provided the finishing touches after a late-innings wobble.
Pitch & Conditions
The Rajkot surface is a known “paradise for batters.” Traditionally, the ball comes onto the bat nicely with a true bounce, leading to high-scoring encounters.
- Toss Factor: Interestingly, the team batting first has won all four ODIs previously played at this venue.
- Weather: The forecast is clear with sunny skies and temperatures peaking at 28°C, ensuring a full 100-over game without rain interruptions.
Team News & Probable XIs
India
India has been forced into one change. All-rounder Washington Sundar is ruled out of the remainder of the series due to a rib injury/side strain. The management is likely to choose between the explosive Ayush Badoni or the pace-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy.
- Probable XI: Shubman Gill (C), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy/Ayush Badoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj.
New Zealand
The visitors showed great character despite missing senior players. They will rely on Kyle Jamieson, who was the pick of the bowlers in the first game with 4 wickets, to exploit any early movement.
- Probable XI: Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Hay (WK), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell (C), Kristian Clarke, Kyle Jamieson, Zak Foulkes, Adithya Ashok.
Key Player Battles to Watch
- Virat Kohli vs Kyle Jamieson: Jamieson dismissed Kohli in the first game just seven runs short of a century. Their duel in the middle overs will be pivotal.
- Rohit Sharma vs the New Zealand Pacers: After a start in Vadodara, the Indian captain will be eager to make the most of the batting-friendly Rajkot tracks.
- Kuldeep Yadav vs Daryl Mitchell: Mitchell was the aggressor against spin in the first ODI; how Kuldeep adjusts his flight on a flat deck will be crucial.
