India head to Wellington with a 1-0 lead in the five-match ODI series, and the second ODI against New Zealand at Hnry Stadium on Saturday, 7 November 2026, is a chance for the visitors to take a firm grip on the contest. The match was originally scheduled to start at 7:30 AM IST, but rain and a wet outfield delayed the start, and play eventually began at 8:30 AM IST with the game reduced to 47 overs per side. India captain Shubman Gill won the toss and elected to field first, backing his bowlers on a damp, overcast morning in the New Zealand capital.
The series opener in Auckland set the tone. India won the rain-affected first ODI by five wickets under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method, chasing a revised target of 143 in 32 overs after New Zealand were bowled out for 185. Virat Kohli led the chase with a fluent 74 off 51 balls, while Anshul Kamboj was named Player of the Match for his superb figures of two for 22. That win was also significant for the record books: it was India’s first ODI victory on New Zealand soil since February 2019. New Zealand, meanwhile, will remember that they won the last ODI series between these sides 2-1 in India in January 2026, so the hosts have every reason to believe they can fight back in Wellington.
This is a series full of context. India had already won the T20I leg of this tour 3-2, and the ODI leg is the next chapter in a rivalry that rarely produces a dull contest. New Zealand know their home record against India is strong, and India know that a 2-0 lead with three matches to play would put them firmly in control. With more rain around in Wellington, adaptability could matter just as much as form.
Match Details
| Match | New Zealand vs India, 2nd ODI |
| Series | India tour of New Zealand 2026 — five-match ODI series (India lead 1-0) |
| Date | Saturday, 7 November 2026 |
| Time (IST) | Originally 7:30 AM IST; rain-delayed, play began 8:30 AM IST (4:00 PM local time) |
| Venue | Hnry Stadium, Wellington (formerly Sky Stadium / Wellington Regional Stadium) |
| Toss | India won the toss and elected to field first |
| Overs | 47 overs per side (reduced from 50 after the rain delay) |
Confirmed Playing XIs
Both teams named their confirmed playing XIs at the toss in Wellington. India kept faith with the side that won in Auckland, while New Zealand made their changes around the absence of Devon Conway, who was ruled out of the series after a concussion, with Nick Kelly added to the squad.
India Playing XI
- Rohit Sharma
- Shubman Gill (captain)
- Virat Kohli
- Shreyas Iyer
- KL Rahul (wicketkeeper)
- Axar Patel
- Naman Dhir
- Anshul Kamboj
- Auqib Nabi
- Gurnoor Brar
- Arshdeep Singh
New Zealand Playing XI
- Tim Seifert
- Will Young
- Henry Nicholls
- Daryl Mitchell
- Tom Latham (wicketkeeper)
- Glenn Phillips
- Mitchell Santner (captain)
- Nathan Smith
- Kyle Jamieson
- Jacob Duffy
- Blair Tickner
Squads
Both sides have named split squads for this five-match ODI series, with one eye on the Test series that follows. Shubman Gill captains India for the first three ODIs, with Shreyas Iyer set to take over for the final two matches. India’s squad for the first three ODIs is Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain), KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Anshul Kamboj, Gurnoor Brar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav and Auqib Nabi. New Zealand, led by Mitchell Santner, have named Mitchell Santner (captain), Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham (wicketkeeper), Tim Seifert (wicketkeeper), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Nathan Smith, Will Young, Blair Tickner, Henry Nicholls and Matt Fisher for the first three ODIs. Conway has since been ruled out through concussion and Nick Kelly has been added to the squad, while Rachin Ravindra and Mark Chapman missed the series through injury.
Head-to-Head
India hold the overall edge in this rivalry. Before this series began, the two teams had met in 123 ODIs, with India winning 63, New Zealand winning 52, one match tied and seven ending without a result. India’s win in the Auckland opener has since extended that advantage. The picture changes sharply on New Zealand soil, however: in 45 ODIs played in New Zealand, the hosts have won 26, India have won only 14, with one tie and four no-results. That home dominance is the biggest reason New Zealand will fancy their chances in Wellington despite trailing in the series.
Recent history also favours a close contest. New Zealand won the last ODI series between the sides 2-1 in India in January 2026, winning the decider at Indore by 41 runs after posting 337 for 8. India had already shown their fighting spirit on this tour by winning the T20I series 3-2, and the ODI opener in Auckland proved they can win in difficult, rain-affected conditions away from home. For the full story of the series opener, read our New Zealand vs India, 1st ODI recap.
| ODI head-to-head (before this series) | Matches | India won | New Zealand won | Tied / No result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 123 | 63 | 52 | 1 / 7 |
| In New Zealand | 45 | 14 | 26 | 1 / 4 |
Pitch & Weather Report
The Hnry Stadium pitch is known for helping fast bowlers early, and the conditions on Saturday morning only strengthened that trend. Former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull noted at the toss that the surface had a good covering of grass and visible moisture after being under covers for a couple of days, with seam movement expected for the new-ball bowlers. The first 10 to 12 overs were expected to be the hardest for batters, with some deliveries possibly stopping on the surface, before batting becomes easier as the ball gets older and the true bounce allows strokeplay. The short square boundaries, around 56 to 60 metres, reward batters who play square of the wicket once they are set, while the straight boundary is much longer at around 84 metres.
The venue’s ODI numbers back up the idea of a balanced contest: 32 ODIs have been played at the ground, with an average first-innings score of around 232, and recent matches have seen fast bowlers take far more wickets than spinners. Evening humidity can also bring dew into play in day-night fixtures, which can make the ball slippery and help the chasing side. The weather, however, is the bigger story. Wellington faced a 60 percent chance of rain around match time with 99 percent cloud cover, temperatures of 17 to 19 degrees Celsius and a northerly wind of around 17 km/h — and the forecast proved accurate, with rain delaying the start and cutting the match to 47 overs per side. More showers cannot be ruled out, so the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method could come into play again, just as it did in Auckland.
Key Players to Watch
- Virat Kohli (India): In superb touch after his 74 off 51 balls in the Auckland opener, and the key wicket New Zealand must take early.
- Shubman Gill (India): The captain and the world’s leading ODI batter, who also made 37 in the first ODI and called the toss correctly in Wellington.
- Anshul Kamboj (India): Player of the Match in the first ODI for two for 22, and a bowler built for these seaming Wellington conditions.
- Arshdeep Singh (India): Took four for 70 in Auckland and leads a young pace attack that includes Gurnoor Brar and debutant pacer Auqib Nabi.
- Daryl Mitchell (New Zealand): The hosts’ most reliable middle-order batter and the man most likely to anchor a recovery if early wickets fall.
- Glenn Phillips (New Zealand): Player of the Series in the T20I leg with 341 runs, including a century in the fourth T20I, and a genuine match-winner on his day.
- Jacob Duffy (New Zealand): Took three wickets in the first ODI and is New Zealand’s most dangerous new-ball bowler in home conditions.
- Mitchell Santner (New Zealand): The captain and the side’s most economical spinner, who must hold the middle overs together.
Phillips in particular arrives in form: his century in the fourth T20I ended India’s hopes of a whitewash, as covered in our New Zealand vs India, 4th T20I recap. India, meanwhile, will be pleased that their young pace attack stood up in Auckland, and the same group has another chance to impress in Wellington.
Where to Watch / Live Streaming
In India, the match is broadcast live on the Sony Sports Network, with live streaming available on SonyLIV. In New Zealand, live coverage is on Sky Sport. Fans in other regions should check their local broadcaster listings, as rights vary by territory. The match is also available through ball-by-ball text commentary online for fans who cannot watch the live broadcast.
India sealed the T20I series on this tour 3-2 before the ODI leg began, as covered in our New Zealand vs India, 5th T20I result report, and the ODI series now gives New Zealand a chance to hit back in the longer white-ball format.
FAQs
When and where is the New Zealand vs India 2nd ODI?
The second ODI is on Saturday, 7 November 2026 at Hnry Stadium, Wellington. It was originally scheduled to start at 7:30 AM IST, but rain delayed the start and play began at 8:30 AM IST, with the match reduced to 47 overs per side.
Who won the toss in the 2nd ODI?
India captain Shubman Gill won the toss and elected to field first, with the overcast conditions and a moisture-covered pitch influencing the decision.
What is the series score after the 1st ODI?
India lead the five-match ODI series 1-0 after winning the first ODI in Auckland by five wickets under the DLS method. New Zealand scored 185 and India chased a revised target of 143 in 32 overs.
Where can I watch the 2nd ODI live in India?
The match is telecast live on the Sony Sports Network and streamed live on SonyLIV in India. In New Zealand, the match is shown on Sky Sport.
What is the head-to-head record between New Zealand and India in ODIs?
Before this series, the teams had played 123 ODIs: India won 63, New Zealand won 52, one was tied and seven had no result. In New Zealand, the hosts lead 26-14 from 45 matches. New Zealand won the last ODI series between the sides 2-1 in India in January 2026.
Summary
The second ODI in Wellington is a pivotal match in this five-match series. India arrive with momentum after their DLS win in Auckland and a first ODI victory in New Zealand since February 2019, while the hosts have history, home conditions and a strong record at this venue on their side. Rain has already shaped the contest by cutting it to 47 overs a side, and the damp pitch and overcast skies made India’s decision to bowl first an easy one. If New Zealand’s top order can survive the early movement, Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell have the firepower to set up a strong total; if India’s young pace attack strikes early again, the visitors will fancy chasing down another win and taking a 2-0 lead. Either way, Wellington promises another close chapter in this rivalry. For the live scorecard and ball-by-ball updates, follow the match on Cricbuzz: New Zealand vs India, 2nd ODI live score on Cricbuzz.
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