Wellington, Nov 2026 : A superb bowling performance led by pacer Gurnoor Brar helped India bowl out New Zealand for just 134 in 41 overs in the second ODI at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on Saturday, putting the visitors in a strong position to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
Brar claimed four wickets for 30 runs in his 10 overs, while Auqib Nabi and Anshul Kamboj picked up two wickets each. Axar Patel also contributed with two scalps as New Zealand struggled to negotiate India's disciplined attack on a two-paced surface.
After winning the toss and electing to bowl, India made an immediate impact. Nabi struck in the second over, dismissing Tim Seifert for a duck. The New Zealand opener mistimed a drive against a delivery that held up on the pitch, offering a simple catch to Kamboj at mid-on.
Kamboj then removed Will Young for six, who edged a delivery outside off stump to wicketkeeper KL Rahul. New Zealand were reduced to 11 for two before the hosts could settle into their innings.
The Indian bowlers continued to dominate as Kamboj dismissed Henry Nicholls for 11 in his first over. The left-hander got an inside edge onto his boot, and the ball rolled back onto the stumps. New Zealand slipped to 23 for three inside nine overs and managed just 29 runs in the first 10 overs.
Brar took control during the middle overs, producing a crucial double strike in the 20th over. He first dismissed Tom Latham for seven and then removed Glenn Phillips without scoring. Both batters attempted to pull short deliveries but failed to find the required connection. Naman Dhir and Kamboj completed the catches at deep square leg and fine leg, respectively.
With New Zealand struggling at 53 for five, Daryl Mitchell attempted to steady the innings. The right-hander played a patient knock of 55 from 104 balls, hitting five boundaries and two sixes. Captain Mitchell Santner provided valuable support, scoring 31 off 38 deliveries.
The pair added 59 runs for the sixth wicket, offering New Zealand a brief opportunity to recover from the early collapse.
However, Axar Patel ended the partnership in the 35th over by dismissing Mitchell, who was caught by Kamboj at long-off. Brar then removed Santner, who edged the ball behind to Rahul.
Axar strengthened India's position further by bowling Kyle Jamieson for seven. Brar continued his impressive spell by dismissing Nathan Smith in the 40th over, before Kamboj wrapped up the innings by bowling Blair Tickner for two in the following over.
New Zealand were eventually dismissed for 134 in 41 overs, leaving India with a modest target to chase.
Brar's four-wicket haul and the collective discipline of India's bowling unit ensured that the hosts never recovered from their early setbacks. Mitchell's half-century was the only significant resistance in an innings otherwise dominated by the visitors.
Brief Scores: New Zealand 134 all out in 41 overs (Daryl Mitchell 55, Mitchell Santner 31; Gurnoor Brar 4/30, Anshul Kamboj 2/25, Axar Patel 2/28, Auqib Nabi 2/31) against India.
