Last Updated on 5 seconds ago by Charbel Coorey

Three days on from another Virat Kohli masterclass, the action moves to Wellington as New Zealand aim to square the ODI series.

The Black Caps were undone by the Indian pace attack in Auckland, unable to cope with the bounce as they were bowled out for 185. In response, the superb Kohli led the way, seemingly batting on a different pitch to everyone else. His trademark drives, flicks and pull shots were on show, and New Zealand need to find a way to get the better of him.

However, the hosts need to be better with the bat. They are without a few key players due to injury, but those on deck in Auckland still have enough experience to produce more. The top order has an important role in setting up a platform for Daryl Mitchell, who was largely looking assured before a run out ended his stay.

For India, runs for Rohit Sharma will be high on the agenda while Shubman Gill aims to build on his fantastic ODI record. Also, Anshul Kamboj and Gurnoor Brar both enjoyed fruitful outing in the first ODI, so how they backup will be interesting to see.

NZ vs IND 2nd ODI 2026 Possible Playing XIs: Devon Conway ruled out of series due to concussion, Matt Henry available

Cricinfo has confirmed that Devon Conway will miss the remainder of the ODI series due to concussion. He collided with Matt Henry at training on the eve of the series.

Henry, however, has been cleared and is available for this match. He will likely come in for Blair Tickner.

New Zealand: 1. Will Young, 2. Tim Seifert, 3. Henry Nicholls, 4. Daryl Mitchell, 5. Tom Latham (wk), 6. Glenn Phillips, 7. Mitchell Santner (c), 8. Nathan Smith, 9. Kyle Jamieson, 10. Matt Henry, 11. Jacob Duffy

Mohammed Siraj missed the first ODI as he played in the second four-day game for India A against New Zealand A. Accoding to Revsportz, Siraj will join the ODI squad in Wellington.

India: 1. Rohit Sharma, 2. Shubman Gill (c), 3. Virat Kohli, 4. Shreyas Iyer, 5. KL Rahul (wk), 6. Axar Patel, 7. Naman Dhir, 8. Anshul Kamboj, 9. Arshdeep Singh, 10. Mohammed Siraj, 11. Gurnoor Brar

Hnry Stadium Wellington Pitch Report and Weather

The average first innings score in the last five ODIs at Wellington is 252. Teams batting first have won three of these matches. But the later start time (3pm) should encourage the captain who wins the toss to bowl first, especially with cloudy weather forecast.

“Everyone wins the toss and bowls first for a reason,” said Jacob Duffy after the first ODI, as quoted by Cricinfo.

“When it does skid on like that [in the second innings], it sort of takes away the tackiness and that sort of tennis-bally bounce we saw in their innings, which that’s what I thought made the ball [skid].”

There is a chance of afternoon rain with a top temperature of 20 degrees. According to AccuWeather, around 2-4mm of rain is expected to fall during the day, so there could be some interruptions.

NZ vs IND 2nd ODI 2026 Fantasy Cricket Tips: Pace bowlers to produce the goods again in cloudy conditions?

Top wicket-keeper picks:

• KL Rahul is one of the elite middle order batters in ODIs. Since the start of 2023, he’s hit 1,784 ODI runs at an average of 61.5 and strike rate of 97.2.
• Tim Seifert looked shaky in the first ODI but the fact he opens provides value from a Dream11 perspective. He also smashed 93 in the fifth and final T20I, so he does have some form.

Key batter picks:

• Virat Kohli was outstanding in the first ODI, scoring a 51-ball 74. He averages 51.53 in 14 ODIs in New Zealand, with five fifties and a century.
• Shubman Gill is a strong candidate for the Dream11 captaincy. He averages 63.55 in 71 ODIs, with 20 fifties and 11 hundreds. His numbers against NZ overall are strong (avg. 61.15), but will be looking to improve on his average in NZ (32.20 from six ODIs).
• Daryl Mitchell loves playing against India. He has scored 769 runs at an average of 69.90 and strike rate of 95.64.

Top all-rounder picks:

• Glenn Phillips looks the best pick here with his important batting role. He is fresh off the player-of-the-series award in the T20I series as well.

Key bowler picks:

• Jacob Duffy will be a threat especially if the Wellington pitch offers bounce. He took 3/49 in the first ODI, although he was on the expensive side.
• Mohammed Siraj has played just 10 ODIs since the start of 2024. Before then, he was one of the finest powerplay bowlers going around. Conditions should suit he and Anshul Kamboj (2/22 in first ODI).
• Arshdeep Singh bowls in the crunch overs and is a wicket-taker. He took four wickets in the first ODI after taking six wickets in the T20Is.

Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Teams

• Rohit Sharma.
• Gurnoor Brar.
• Kyle Jamieson.
• Mitchell Santner.
• Tom Latham.

Other Stats and Important Matchups

• Head-to-head: India 64, New Zealand 52, N/R 7, tie 1.
• Virat Kohli has the most runs in NZ-IND ODIs (1,971) at an average of 57.97 and strike rate of 97.86. He has scored 11 fifties and seven hundreds in 37 innings.
• Rohit Sharma averages 35.43 in 33 innings against New Zealand (six fifties, two hundreds).
• Tom Latham against India: 25 inns, 907 runs, avg. 43.19, SR 91.70.
• Mitchell Santner didn’t get to bowl in the first ODI and conditions in Wellington could limit his role again. But, he’s scored 136 runs in his last five innings at Wellington (avg. 34) and also has five wickets in these matches.
• Kyle Jamieson vs. Rohit Sharma: 71 balls, 48 runs, three wickets.
• Jacob Duffy vs. Virat Kohli: 21 balls, 31 runs, two wickets.
• Mohammed Siraj vs. Will Young: 40 balls, 17 runs, one wicket.

NZ vs IND 2nd ODI 2026 Dream11 Prediction Today

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams.

Option 1:

Option 2: