Wellington, November 7, 2026: India captain Shubman Gill won the toss and elected to bowl first against New Zealand in the second One-Day International (ODI) at Hnry Stadium in Wellington on Saturday. The match, delayed by rain, has been reduced to 47 overs per side.
India enters the contest with a 1-0 lead in the five-match series after securing a five-wicket victory in the opening ODI in Auckland. Both teams have retained their playing XIs as India looks to extend its advantage and New Zealand aims to level the series.
India Wins Toss and Chooses to Bowl
Shubman Gill opted to field after winning the toss, citing overcast conditions and the possibility of early assistance for fast bowlers.
The Indian captain explained that the pitch had remained under covers because of rain and that the team was prepared to take advantage of the conditions.
The decision follows India’s successful bowling-first approach in the opening ODI.
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner acknowledged that the conditions could favour bowlers initially but expressed confidence in his team’s ability to put a competitive total on the board.
Rain Delays Start in Wellington
Persistent rain disrupted preparations before the second ODI, delaying the toss and the start of play.
Ground staff worked to remove excess water and prepare the playing surface.
Following an inspection, officials reduced the match to 47 overs per side.
The interruption has added another challenge for both teams, particularly the batters, who must adjust to potentially difficult conditions.
Weather could remain an important factor as the match progresses.
India Leads Five-Match Series 1-0
India began the series with a five-wicket victory at Eden Park in Auckland on November 4.
New Zealand was bowled out for 185 runs in 40.2 overs, with India’s pace attack delivering an effective performance.
Rain affected the match, and India eventually chased a revised target under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method.
Virat Kohli scored 74 runs from 51 deliveries, playing a major role in India’s successful run chase.
The victory gave the visitors an early advantage in the series.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma Remain in Focus
Senior Indian batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma remain central to India’s ODI plans.
Kohli enters the second match following his impressive performance in Auckland.
His ability to build an innings and accelerate when required will be important if India faces another challenging chase.
Rohit Sharma is also expected to play an important role at the top of the order, providing experience alongside captain Gill.
The performance of India’s experienced batting lineup could be decisive in Wellington.
India Retains Unchanged Playing XI
Despite Mohammed Siraj joining the squad before the match, India has retained the same playing XI from the opening ODI.
The decision indicates the team management’s confidence in the bowling combination that helped secure victory in Auckland.
Arshdeep Singh, Anshul Kamboj, Auqib Nabi and Gurnoor Brar provide India’s pace options.
Axar Patel offers a spin-bowling option alongside his batting abilities.
India Playing XI for 2nd ODI
India’s confirmed playing XI is:
- Rohit Sharma
- Shubman Gill (Captain)
- Virat Kohli
- Shreyas Iyer
- KL Rahul (Wicketkeeper)
- Axar Patel
- Naman Dhir
- Anshul Kamboj
- Auqib Nabi
- Gurnoor Brar
- Arshdeep Singh
The lineup provides a combination of experienced batters, emerging players and multiple bowling options.
New Zealand Also Makes No Changes
New Zealand has retained its playing XI despite losing the opening match.
Captain Mitchell Santner will rely on his batters to negotiate India’s pace attack and establish a strong total.
The hosts have several experienced players, including Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham and Glenn Phillips.
Their performances will be important as New Zealand attempts to recover from its series-opening defeat.
New Zealand Playing XI for 2nd ODI
New Zealand’s confirmed playing XI is:
- Will Young
- Tim Seifert
- Henry Nicholls
- Daryl Mitchell
- Tom Latham (Wicketkeeper)
- Glenn Phillips
- Mitchell Santner (Captain)
- Nathan Smith
- Kyle Jamieson
- Jacob Duffy
- Blair Tickner
The team will be looking for a stronger batting performance after struggling against India’s bowlers in Auckland.
Devon Conway Ruled Out of ODI Series
New Zealand has suffered a setback with Devon Conway ruled out of the remainder of the series.
The opening batter sustained a concussion during a training session before the first ODI.
His absence reduces New Zealand’s batting options and places additional responsibility on the players in the starting lineup.
The team will look to Will Young and Tim Seifert to provide a stable opening partnership.
Wellington Conditions Could Favour Fast Bowlers
The weather and pitch conditions in Wellington have influenced India’s decision to bowl first.
Overcast skies and a surface that remained covered before the match could provide early movement for the seamers.
Both teams have selected pace-heavy bowling combinations to take advantage of the conditions.
However, the behaviour of the pitch will become clearer as the innings develops.
Rohit and Kohli’s Experience Important for India
India’s batting lineup combines younger players with established international performers.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli bring valuable experience in handling pressure situations and challenging overseas conditions.
Their contributions could become particularly important if New Zealand’s bowlers make early breakthroughs.
Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer will also have significant roles in maintaining stability through the middle overs.
India Aims to Extend Series Advantage
A victory in Wellington would give India a commanding 2-0 lead in the five-match contest.
New Zealand, meanwhile, needs a strong response to avoid falling further behind before the third ODI.
The match will test both teams’ ability to adapt to rain-affected conditions and execute their plans.
With experienced batters, emerging fast bowlers and a closely contested series ahead, the second ODI presents another important opportunity for both sides.
The match was underway following the rain delay at the time of the morning updates, and the final result was not yet available.
Source: PTI, IANS, ANI, ICC — November 7, 2026
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