![New Zealand to take on India in the 2nd ODI [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1793950612280_NewZealandtotakeonIndiainthe2ndODI.jpg?type=hq)
New Zealand to take on India in the 2nd ODI [Source: AFP]
After a relatively one-sided contest, wherein India prevailed by 5 wickets, the caravan moves to the second game of the series as the hosts, New Zealand, take on India at the Hnry Stadium, Wellington.
An injury-hit New Zealand team looked below par against the Indian bowling attack and could only score 185 runs. In a rain-hit match, Virat Kohli showed his class as his 74 sealed the game for India and helped the Asian side take a 1-0 lead.
New Zealand will miss several key players in the second ODI as injuries have hampered their squad. Ahead of the second ODI, we take a look at New Zealand’s predicted playing XI and the possible changes they can make.
Openers and top order: Tim Seifert, Will Young, Henry Nicholls
New Zealand doesn’t believe in making too many changes in their lineup, and with Devon Conway ruled out, expect Tim Seifert to be given another go at the top. The management would hope he can deliver the goods and take the attack to the Indian bowlers.
Will Young failed in the first ODI, but the right-handed batter will be eager to make a comeback in the second ODI, as the team needs him at the top to score match-winning runs.
Expect Henry Nicholls to continue playing at number 3, and the southpaw, who has a strong record against India, will hope to get some runs under his belt in the second ODI at the Hnry Stadium.
Middle order and all-rounders: Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham(w), Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner(c)
Daryl Mitchell got a start in the first ODI, but he failed to capitalise on it. The Kiwi batter loves playing against India, and the team would hope he can once again punish the Indian bowlers in a must-win match.
Tom Latham brings a variety to the Kiwi middle order with his left-handed batting. Just like Mitchell, he, too, has a great ODI record against India. If needed, he can be an aggressor and can also play as a second-fiddle.
New Zealand’s best batter in the first ODI, Glenn Phillips, has been going through a purple patch, and the Kiwi middle-order batter will hope to continue the rich vein of form in the second ODI.
Mitch Santner, the team captain, will bat at number 7, and not only with the bat, but the wily player will also contribute immensely with the ball.
Bowlers: Nathan Smith, Kyle Jamieson, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry
Nathan Smith was the pick of the bowlers for New Zealand in the first ODI, having picked up a solitary wicket and giving away only 21 runs. The Black Caps would hope he can continue in the same form and take more wickets in the second ODI.
The Wellington conditions will suit Kyle Jamieson, and he will be the key against the Indian openers, especially against Rohit Sharma, who struggled against the tall Kiwi pacer, and was dismissed by him.
Jacob Duffy was a touch expensive in the first ODI, but he did manage to pick up 3 important wickets. His ability to nip the ball around both ways will be crucial, especially if the playing conditions suit the pacers.
The one change that the Kiwis are expected to make is to bring back Matt Henry to replace Blair Tickner. Henry, who has a stellar bowling record against India, is reportedly fit, and he needs to be in the playing XI to tackle the famed Indian top three.
New Zealand Predicted Playing XI vs India- 2nd ODI 2026
Tim Seifert, Will Young, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham(w), Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner(c), Nathan Smith, Kyle Jamieson, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry
