Rain rescues India in a low-scoring thriller against New Zealand

India's bowlers delivered another commanding performance to dismiss New Zealand for 134, but the batters made a meal of chasing 135. Rain eventually settled the contest in India's favour, though their middle-order concerns remain.Rahul and Shreyas stood firm with a 46-run stand as India's top order crumbled in Wellington. (Photo: AFP)Wellington,Nov 7, 2026 15:42 ISTIndia have a 2-0 lead in the series, but they had to sweat for it in Wellington. After bowling New Zealand out for 134, India turned a modest chase of 135 into a nervy affair, losing seven wickets before rain brought the second ODI to an end. At 113/7 after 26 overs, they were four runs ahead of the DLS par score, enough to seal the win but not enough to avoid the questions.It was an unusual finish to a match in which India's bowlers had been firmly in control. Gurnoor Brar led the way with a career-best 4/30, while Anshul Kamboj, Auqib Nabi and Axar Patel picked up two wickets each. Arshdeep Singh went wicketless but kept New Zealand quiet with an economical spell of 7-1-16-0.India vs New Zealand, 2nd ODI: HIGHLIGHTSThe batters could not match that effort. Shubman Gill fell for a golden duck, Virat Kohli made seven and Rohit Sharma managed 17. Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul briefly brought some order to the chase with a 46-run stand, but the wickets kept coming. Rahul was unbeaten on 23 when the rain arrived, with India needing 22 more runs. INDIA'S YOUNG PACERS TAKE CHARGEIndia's bowlers gave their batters every reason to expect a comfortable afternoon. The match had already been reduced to 47 overs per side after overnight rain delayed the start, but the conditions suited the seamers. India's younger pace options made the most of them, picking up where they had left off in the series opener.Auqib Nabi finally opened his international wicket account after going wicketless in the first ODI. He removed Tim Seifert for a duck and Will Young for six, leaving New Zealand at 11/2. Kamboj then bowled Henry Nicholls for 11 as the hosts slipped to 23/3 inside nine overs. He finished with 2/25 from eight overs, having taken two wickets in the series opener as well. Gurnoor brought pace and bounce into the attack, and New Zealand struggled to deal with his short-ball approach. Tom Latham mistimed a pull and was caught for seven before Glenn Phillips top-edged another short delivery to Kamboj at fine leg. New Zealand were suddenly 53/5, with Gurnoor striking twice in the same over.He returned to remove Nathan Smith and Mitchell Santner, completing career-best figures of 4/30 in 10 overs. Nabi finished with 2/31, while Axar claimed 2/28. Arshdeep was the only Indian bowler without a wicket, but his spell of 16 runs in seven overs, including a maiden, kept the scoring in check. India sent down 176 dot balls, underlining their control.MITCHELL AND SANTNER DELAY COLLAPSENew Zealand's early collapse left them struggling to put together a competitive total. Daryl Mitchell and Mitchell Santner were the only pair to offer sustained resistance, adding 59 runs for the sixth wicket.Mitchell made 55 from 104 balls, while Santner scored 31 off 38. Mitchell was dropped by Gill during his innings, but Axar eventually removed him with a mistimed lofted shot. Santner tried to lift the scoring rate with a few attacking strokes before Gurnoor had the final say, with Rahul completing the catch behind the stumps.Axar also bowled Kyle Jamieson, while Kamboj and Gurnoor helped clear out the tail. New Zealand were all out for 134 in 41 overs, leaving India with a target of 135.HOW A ROUTINE CHASE TURNED NERVYGill's golden duck and Kohli's dismissal for seven put India under pressure early. Rohit, who had fallen first ball in the opening ODI, showed some intent with two sixes but managed only 17.The pitch offered assistance to the bowlers, with the ball occasionally stopping and extra bounce making it difficult to play through the line. New Zealand's quicks exploited those conditions with the short ball, but India's shot selection added to their troubles. There was little reason to force the pace in a chase of 135.Axar's dismissal was a case in point. Attempting a ramp, he picked out the fielder at third man for seven, leaving India 40/4. Iyer and Rahul then added 46 for the fifth wicket to steady the innings, taking India to 86/5. Iyer made 30 off 46 balls but could not convert his start into a match-defining contribution.Naman Dhir scored 12 before falling, while Kamboj managed just one. Rahul was unbeaten on 23 when rain stopped play at 113/7. With the DLS par score at 109, India had done just enough to secure the win.The result gives India a 2-0 lead, but the batting display raises familiar questions. The first ODI exposed the middle order's limited contribution. In Wellington, the top order failed early and the rest could not show the composure needed to complete a modest chase.India were never under pressure from the required rate, but their shot selection repeatedly put them in trouble.The bowling attack, meanwhile, continues to impress. Gurnoor Brar and Anshul Kamboj have built on their performances from the first ODI, Auqib Nabi has opened his international wicket account, and Arshdeep Singh delivered an economical spell despite going wicketless.But the bowlers cannot keep bailing out an unsettled batting line-up. The 2-0 lead is welcome, but Wellington exposed India's struggles to handle pressure with the bat. With the 2027 ODI World Cup in sight, the middle order needs better judgement and the temperament to close out games.- Ends