New Zealand v India 2nd ODI tips: India's pace edge
India are our pick to win the second ODI after their seamers bowled New Zealand out for 185 in Auckland. Anshul Kamboj conceded just 22 from ten overs, while Arshdeep Singh and Gurnoor Brar took seven wickets between them. New Zealand's middle order now needs to recover against an attack that barely gave it a loose ball.
New Zealand v India, 2nd ODI. Saturday, 07 November 2026, 04:00 SAST. New Zealand v India ODI series. Hnry Stadium, Wellington.
Match comparison
| Focus | Recent performance | Key detail |
|---|---|---|
| First ODI | India won by five wickets, DLS | New Zealand 185; India 143/5 |
| India's pace attack | Kamboj 2/22 from ten overs | Arshdeep 4/70; Gurnoor 3/44 |
| The chase | Kohli 74 from 51 balls | Four late wickets fell for 22 |
Kamboj kept New Zealand under pressure
Anshul Kamboj was selected ahead of Mohammed Siraj in Auckland and conceded just 22 from ten overs. His first spell stopped Tim Seifert from accelerating; his second removed Mitchell Santner and Nathan Smith.
Arshdeep Singh and Gurnoor Brar shared seven wickets around that control. Several came from short balls, while Kamboj kept finding movement late into New Zealand's innings. India bowled the hosts out in the 41st over.
The fielding helped too. Rohit Sharma ran out Daryl Mitchell with a diving throw, while Virat Kohli held a low catch to dismiss Smith. New Zealand lost both wickets without India needing to change the pressure being applied with the ball.
New Zealand's leading batters made little headway
Seifert top-scored with 38 from 43 balls. He and Mitchell put together a partnership, but neither could take the innings away from India's seamers, and Tom Latham offered Gurnoor a return catch.
Mitchell's run-out interrupted another part of the middle order that had won the January series in India. Glenn Phillips later struggled to keep a drive down against Arshdeep, leaving the hosts dependent on their lower order.
Jacob Duffy and Blair Tickner added 39 for the last wicket. Tickner hit Arshdeep for three sixes, but that late stand only took New Zealand to 185. The recognised batters must contribute much more in Wellington.
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Kohli gave India room for a late wobble
Kohli made 74 from 51 balls and Shubman Gill contributed 37. Their partnership left India well placed before rain reduced the target to 143 from 32 overs.
Gill's dismissal started a run of four wickets for 22, including Kohli. India still won with 56 balls remaining, but Duffy's 3/49 gives New Zealand a bowling performance to build on.
Rohit fell for a duck early in the chase. New Zealand therefore have recent evidence that they can break through this batting order; in Auckland, they simply did not have enough runs to make the later wickets decisive.
India's bowling makes the stronger case
Wellington is a different venue, but India's advantage is broader than one bowler finding help from the pitch. Kamboj controlled the scoring, Arshdeep and Gurnoor took wickets, and the fielders converted opportunities around them.
New Zealand are also still without Rachin Ravindra and Mark Chapman. Their shoulder and hamstring injuries respectively have removed two batting options for the series, increasing the burden on the middle order that struggled in Auckland.
We favour India to go 2-0 up. New Zealand's late bowling success keeps the contest interesting, but their top order needs a much larger improvement than India's attack after Wednesday's opener.