All eyes will once again be on Virat Kohli, who was outstanding in the series opener. He anchored the innings alongside Shreyas Iyer (49) and skipper Shubman Gill (56).
India's Virat Kohli plays a shot during the first ODI cricket match of a series between India and New Zealand, at Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara, Gujarat, Sunday, January 11, 2026. (Photo: IANS)
The highly anticipated second ODI between India and New Zealand is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, January 14, at the Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot. The match will begin at 1:30 PM IST, with the toss at 1:00 PM.
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India head into the contest with confidence after securing a four-wicket win over the Black Caps in the opening ODI at the BCA Stadium, Kotambi, Vadodara, on January 11, 2026.
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In the first match, New Zealand laid a solid foundation after winning the toss and opting to bat. Openers Devon Conway (56) and Henry Nicholls (62) stitched together a century stand, giving their side early momentum. However, India fought back with disciplined bowling before Virat Kohli produced a masterclass in the chase. The former India captain narrowly missed out on his 48th ODI century, scoring a magnificent 93 before being dismissed by Lockie Ferguson in the 42nd over.
Match: India vs New Zealand, 2nd ODI
Venue: Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot
Date & Time: January 14, 2026, 1:30 PM IST (Toss at 1:00 PM)
Where to watch: Star Sports Network, JioHotstar app
All eyes will once again be on Virat Kohli, who was outstanding in the series opener. He anchored the innings alongside Shreyas Iyer (49) and skipper Shubman Gill (56). Kohli has been in scintillating form, consistently rewriting records, and will be eager to convert his start into his long-awaited 48th ODI hundred. Expectations are high as he continues his rich vein of form.
Rohit Sharma will also be under focus despite a modest outing in the first ODI, where he scored 34 off 45 balls before falling to Michael Bracewell. The Rajkot pitch, known for its true bounce and batting-friendly nature, could suit Rohit’s aggressive style.
Among the bowlers, Kuldeep Yadav remains India’s primary wicket-taking spinner, while Ravindra Jadeja will be crucial with his economical bowling and all-round abilities.
For New Zealand, Daryl Mitchell stood out as the most consistent batter in the opening ODI, scoring a composed 84. He will once again be key to stabilising the middle order.
Devon Conway, who provided a solid start in the first game, remains a vital top-order batter given his proficiency against spin on Indian pitches.
Fast bowler Kyle Jamieson, who impressed with a four-wicket haul in the previous match, will be New Zealand’s biggest weapon with the ball as they look to stay alive in the series.
The Rajkot pitch is expected to be batting-friendly, offering a flat, hard surface with consistent bounce. In the four ODIs played at this venue, teams batting first have won on every occasion, with totals of 320-plus being common. The highest ODI total at the ground remains Australia’s 352/7 against India in 2023.
With relatively manageable dew conditions, the toss may not play a decisive role, as teams are accustomed to handling late-evening moisture.
New Zealand:
Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Hay (wk), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell (capt.), Kristian Clarke, Kyle Jamieson, Zak Foulkes, Adithya Ashok/Jayden Lennox.
India:
Shubman Gill (capt.), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy/Ayush Badoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj.
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