India eye series win in Rajkot as NZ look to bounce back

Following a narrow four-wicket win in the series opener at Vadodara, India will now face New Zealand in Rajkot to try to clinch the series by taking an unbeatable lead in the three-match series. The two sides will lock horns at the Niranjan Shah Stadium, a typically batting-friendly surface, where the Black Caps will aim to level the series while the hosts will aim to grab a 2-0 lead.

India’s playing XI for the second ODI will witness at least one change after Washington Sundar was ruled out of the remainder of the series following an injury.

The all-rounder was replaced by Ayush Badoni in the squad as the 26-year-old received his maiden ODI call-up.

On the eve of the first ODI, Rishabh Pant had copped a blow while batting against Indian throw-down staff and was ruled out of the series. His ouster had prompted the selectors to draft in Dhruv Jurel who can be another option for a specialist batter if the team management decides to go that way. All-rounder Tilak Varma, is out of at least the first three T20Is against the Kiwis due to a groin injury.

Despite the available options, India’s white-ball set up would not want to see more injuries with the T20 World Cup less than a month away.

Captain Shubman Gill faces a typical ‘selection dilemma’ after several fringe players stepped up under pressure.

Badoni’s coach, Sarandeep Singh, said that the all-rounder had received a much-awaited India call-up for the ongoing ODI series against New Zealand, and revealed that the 26-year-old is ready to play international cricket ‘right away’ given his top form across all departments.

The first match showed that although veterans like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma remain crucial, the inclusion of relatively inexperienced players like Harshit Rana is changing the team’s tactical approach.

As the action shifts to Rajkot, the team management must decide whether to maintain the successful lineup or rotate bowlers to reduce their workload.

India clinched their eighth consecutive ODI win over New Zealand since 2023. At home venues, they have now secured eight straight ODI victories against New Zealand since 2017.

The ODI series opener also saw India successfully chase the second-highest target against New Zealand, behind the 316 runs achieved in Bengaluru in 2010.

New Zealand responded strongly in the first game. It appeared they were done for when Kohli and Iyer were dominating, and India looked poised to win easily with a comfortable margin.

However, the Black Caps demonstrated great resilience before India secured the victory. Rohit Sharma scored the first runs for India but was dismissed in the Power-play, while Gill had a slow start against the new ball but regained his rhythm after Kohli came in to support him.

India’s No. 3 entered with confidence, aggressively facing the bowlers and hitting boundaries, establishing a strong partnership of over 100 runs with the captain. Following Gill’s dismissal, Shreyas Iyer maintained the same aggressive approach, forming another steady partnership with Kohli and ensuring India stayed in command.

Then, Kyle Jamieson entered the scene and took three wickets in just seven balls to dismiss Kohli and Iyer, putting New Zealand right back into the game. With Washington injured, Rana was sent in before him, delivering a useful cameo that eased the pressure on wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul.

Even after Rana’s dismissal, a hobbling Washington walked out to the middle, and together he and Rahul guided India home with an over to spare.

New Zealand threw everything they had at India and pushed them all the way, but in the end, they just lacked that extra bit of firepower in the crunch moments.

The Kiwis demonstrated resilience with both bat and ball. After a solid beginning, a mid-innings slump nearly derailed them, but Daryl Mitchell’s steadiness led them to a competitive score.

With the ball, they kept fighting and pushed the match until the second last over. India, on the other hand, will recognise they could have been more precise across all aspects of the game and will aim to improve in the second match on Wednesday.

Agencies