India vs New Zealand 2nd ODI – Full Match Report
On 14 January 2026, India played the 2nd One Day International (ODI) against New Zealand in a thrilling cricket match at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot, India. This was the second match of a three-match ODI series between the two teams in the New Zealand tour of India. After India won the first match, this game was very important for both teams to gain control of the series. (AajTak)
Before the Match
New Zealand won the toss and chose to field first, which meant India would bat first. The pitch in Rajkot was expected to be good for batsmen, with bounce and stroke-playing areas that could help scoring runs. Many fans thought it would be a high-scoring match. (AajTak)
India came into the game with confidence after winning the first ODI in Vadodara, and they had key players like KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli in their playing eleven. However, India was missing some players due to injuries, including Washington Sundar who was ruled out before this game. (TechRadar)
India’s Innings – A Strong Batting Effort
India started batting first and looked to build a big total. The innings had a mix of good batting and early wickets that made the game exciting.
Top Performers for India
- KL Rahul (112 off 92 balls)*
KL Rahul was the star of India’s innings. He played a brilliant century, staying not out till the end and scoring 112 runs with good timing and control. His innings included several fours and sixes that helped India reach a strong total. (The Statesman) - Shubman Gill (56 off 53 balls)
Captain Shubman Gill gave India a solid start. He scored a quick 56 runs, giving support to Rahul during the early part of the innings. (myKhel) - Other Contributions
Although Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli did not make big scores, the partnerships built by Gill and Rahul helped India recover from early pressure and post a competitive total. (myKhel)
By the end of India’s innings, the team had scored 284 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in 50 overs. It was a good total on a batting-friendly ground, and India hoped New Zealand would struggle in the chase. (myKhel)
New Zealand’s Chase – A Historic Run Chase
Key New Zealand Batters
- Daryl Mitchell (131 off 117 balls)*
The match-winning performance came from Daryl Mitchell who scored an incredible 131 not out. His century was powerful and composed, helping New Zealand chase the big target with ease. Mitchell’s innings was full of smart shots and strong hitting under pressure. (Reuters) - Will Young (87 off 98 balls)
Will Young played a brilliant supporting role. He scored 87 runs, building a strong partnership with Mitchell. Their partnership was the backbone of the chase and kept New Zealand ahead of the required run rate throughout the innings. (SportsTak) - Glenn Phillips (32 off 25 balls)*
Later in the game, Phillips added quick runs to finish the match. His late-innings hitting ensured New Zealand reached the target comfortably with overs to spare. (myKhel)
In the end, New Zealand reached 286 runs for the loss of 3 wickets in 47.3 overs, winning the match by 7 wickets. This was one of the biggest successful run chases in India and a great achievement for the New Zealand team on Indian soil. (ESPN)
Bowling Performances
Although New Zealand chased the target successfully, some Indian bowlers had moments of success:
- Prasidh Krishna and Harshit Rana took important wickets for India.
- New Zealand’s bowlers, especially Kristian Clarke, struck early by dismissing key Indian batsmen. (myKhel)
However, India couldn’t take enough wickets at crucial times, and that allowed Mitchell and Young to build a match-winning partnership.
Player of the Match
The Player of the Match award was given to Daryl Mitchell for his outstanding unbeaten century. Mitchell’s innings was not only beautiful in skill, but it also changed the momentum of the series, helping New Zealand level it at 1-1. (ESPN)
Match Highlights (Summary)
Here are the key points from this exciting game:
- Date & Venue: 14 January 2026 at Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot. (The Times of India)
- Match Result: New Zealand won by 7 wickets. (The Times of India)
- India’s Score: 284/7 in 50 overs. (myKhel)
- New Zealand’s Score: 286/3 in 47.3 overs. (ESPN)
- Top Performers:
- KL Rahul (IND) – 112*
- Daryl Mitchell (NZ) – 131*
- Will Young (NZ) – 87 (The Statesman)
Impact and What’s Next
The match was a turning point in the series. After India had won the first ODI, New Zealand’s win in the second game made the series exciting and tied at 1–1. The final ODI, which decides the series, will be played next in Indore, where both teams will give their best to win the 3-match series. (AajTak)
India will look to improve their bowling and chase skills, while New Zealand will be confident after their big chase in Rajkot. Fans around the world are excited to see who will win the final match.