Wed Jan 14 08:30:00 UTC 2026: ### India vs. New Zealand 2nd ODI: Kiwis Elect to Bowl, India 1-0 Up in Series
The Story:
New Zealand won the toss and elected to bowl in the second ODI against India at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot on January 14, 2026. India made one change to their playing XI, bringing in Nitish Kumar Reddy in place of Washington Sundar. Jayden Lennox made his debut for New Zealand. At the time of this report, India was struggling at 191 for 5 in 38.1 overs, with KL Rahul and Nitish Kumar Reddy at the crease. India leads the three-match series 1-0 after winning the first match in Vadodara by 4 wickets.
Key Points:
- The second ODI between India and New Zealand is being played in Rajkot on January 14, 2026.
- New Zealand won the toss and chose to bowl first.
- India made one change, replacing Washington Sundar with Nitish Kumar Reddy.
- Jayden Lennox is making his debut for New Zealand.
- India’s score is 191 for 5 in 38.1 overs.
- India won the first ODI by 4 wickets.
- New Zealand is playing without key players like Mitchell Santner, Kane Williamson, and Tom Latham.
- Kristian Clark took the wickets of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shreyas Iyer.
- Shubman Gill scored a half-century before being dismissed by Kyle Jamieson.
Key Takeaways:
- New Zealand’s decision to bowl first suggests they are looking to exploit any early moisture in the pitch or believe their bowlers can restrict India to a manageable score.
- India’s middle-order collapse indicates vulnerabilities that New Zealand has managed to exploit.
- The inclusion of Nitish Kumar Reddy hints at India’s long-term strategy of finding pace-bowling all-rounders, especially with the next ODI World Cup in South Africa.
- Despite missing key players, New Zealand’s competitive performance in the first ODI shows their depth and resilience.
- Kristian Clark’s performance is a highlight for New Zealand, showcasing the potential of their newer players.
First Piper 