India can secure the series at home with the 2nd ODI. New Zealand has to win the 2nd ODI to compete in the series. The 1st ODI in Vadodara provided an exciting day of cricket, with India chasing down 301 runs comfortably. The 2nd ODI will take place at Rajkot, which is famously known for its run-filled T20 matches, while also providing a unique opportunity to test bowlers' ability to bowl correctly.
The intensity of both teams will be quite high going into the second ODI. For India, they have the confidence from the first ODI; for New Zealand, the uncertainty of the last two games will be a source of concern. In addition, the tactical aspect will be added to the drama of the match.
Key Match Details
- Date: January 14th, 2026
- Match: 2nd ODI of 3
- Venue: Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot
- Win Probability: India Win Probability (64%) and New Zealand Win Probability (36%)
Current Winning Odds from Stake.com
First ODI Recap: A Narrow Margin, Moments of Importance
The opening match of the series set the tone for the rest of the series as far as how it will take form. India made the right call with the decision to field first, as India took advantage of New Zealand's late innings, and the New Zealand team enjoyed a fast start. Excellent performances were given to the New Zealand team by Devon Conway and Henry Nicholls, and later a strong inning by Daryl Mitchell with his fast-paced 84 runs provided the New Zealand team with plenty of momentum and structure to their innings. However, the New Zealand team failed to completely batter and use the middle of the innings to their advantage and scored 300 runs.
The innings of the Indian team was a deliberate and well-thought-out response to the New Zealand team. After the departure of the captain of the Indian team, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli combined to build a crucial partnership that was essential in riding out the storm. Kohli's 93-run performance was a clinic on how to play ODI-style innings with methodical, smart, and well-tempered play.
Contributions were made by Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul finished off the innings calmly with one over left in the match and gave India the victory with a convincing score that gave India a 1-0 series lead. The victory for India provided the Indian team with enough momentum to continue into the second ODI in Rajkot. Also, as the first ODI showed, the teams will continue to look for areas to improve upon for the remainder of this series.
Conditions in Rajkot: Every Batsman's Dream with Many Hidden Obstacles
The Niranjan Shah Stadium is regarded as one of the higher-scoring venues in cricket, supporting this fact with the statistically proven higher first-innings averages. With all four One Day Internationals (ODIs) to be played at this stadium, teams targeting higher runs in one inning are historically successful.
The traditional red soil present offers consistent bounce for the first couple of overs, allowing batsmen to freely execute shots, unlike in conditions normally associated with high spin averages, which would allow more turn and movement than is usually found in this type of surface. In the latter stages of the game, as moisture flows towards the surface, spin bowling can begin to take effect.
Winning the toss, captains frequently elect to bat first and are expected to score between 320 and 350, which provides enough time for them to put pressure on their opponents.
India's Strength: Balance, Experience, and Controlled Aggression
India is now the heavy favorite going into Rajkot following their success to date in this series and also because of the excellent balance throughout the whole team, which includes experienced players at the top of the order and younger, talented players throughout the rest. This also makes India much better equipped to absorb pressure during the middle of the game and provide those at the tail end with the necessary experience to perform.
Virat Kohli is the driving force of this team. He has a fantastic history at Rajkot and will be looking forward to finally recording a century after narrowly missing it in the first one-day international match. As captain, Shubman Gill has looked very confident, and Rohit Sharma continues to put down a strong foundation at the top of the order with his aggressive intent. The fact that Washington Sundar is unavailable due to injury creates a dilemma for selectors. While Nitish Kumar Reddy's all-round capabilities will add balance to the squad, Ayush Badoni can provide both depth to India's batting line-up and the opportunity for the team to use part-time spin, depending on how the pitch plays out when that moment arrives. It's likely that India's selection panel is very careful about how they select their final XIs by watching closely how pitches play out.
Bowling is another area of concern for India. Although Mohammed Siraj had a strong showing, with good control and early wickets, there were some gaps in some of his deliveries during the death overs. The flat nature of the pitches at Rajkot only exaggerates deficiencies regarding end-of-innings execution, so if India's bowling attack is to have complete control moving forward in this series, it needs to be solidified.
New Zealand's Challenge: Potential Without Performance
Despite being very competitive in the first ODI, New Zealand showed that they don't have all the pieces of the puzzle in place yet. The opening partnership showed that the New Zealand batting lineup has the ability to adapt to a different environment, but the middle order didn't have the ability to finish the innings strong enough to put pressure on India by setting a total of more than 320 runs.
Daryl Mitchell is a key component of New Zealand’s batting score, as he is able to maintain his composure while also being able to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Glenn Phillips returns after a long hiatus from ODI cricket and has pressure to add tempo to the innings, while Michael Bracewell is charged with leading from the front with both bat and ball.
Because of the absence of several senior players from the Black Caps, the team relies heavily on a less experienced group of players. This creates additional pressure to execute well, particularly when fielding and during critical aspects of the bowling innings.
Kyle Jamieson: The X Factor of New Zealand
If New Zealand is to level the series, Kyle Jamieson will be a key player for New Zealand’s chances. Jamieson’s four wickets during the first ODI effectively routed and smashed the Indian batting order and gave a glimpse of his ability to create bounce and movement even on the flattest of pitches.
Jamieson’s key to success is his ability to be disciplined with his bowling style and to strategically vary his deliveries. The early breakthroughs he achieves in Rajkot—where the margin of victory is razor-close—can be disruptive to India as they try to create a balance within their batting machine. However, the support of all of Jamieson’s fellow bowlers is crucial; without continued pressure from the other end, Jamieson’s brilliance may not be enough to secure victory for New Zealand.
Key Battles Could Shape the Match
- Virat Kohli and Kyle Jamieson: A clash of the titans, combining classical craftsmanship with unlimited rise. Juice either player prior to this match, and it could be the point where it really tips in anyone's favor.
- India's Middle Overs and New Zealand Spinners: Rajkot's history of providing tough conditions for spin bowlers. This will be illustrated by Bracewell and Ashok's skill in how they work through these mid-innings.
- Bowling in the Last Stage: In the first ODI between both teams, none of the teams were able to stop running scored in the final stage of their innings. Should either team significantly improve their defensive performance in the last 10 overs, they could easily win this match by a score of greater than 330.
How This All Relates to The Rivalry: History of Mutual Respect and Great Resilience
India has played against New Zealand in ODI cricket 121 times; India has won 63 matches, and New Zealand has won 50 matches. Though the overall numbers certainly give India an advantage, each time India has faced New Zealand there has always been an added level of challenge due to New Zealand’s ability to show tremendous resilience in the face of adversity. New Zealand has shown time and again that their tactical clarity is their greatest strength against India, especially in ICC tournament play.
Because of all of this, it makes the Rajkot Match very meaningful to India. It is a chance to really reassert (FOREIGN) dominance at home. New Zealand is looking to win the match against the odds and for the chance to re-establish the ability to beat India consistently.
Overall, India Will Have the Advantage, Yet It Will Not Come Without Its Obstacles
At this stage in the tournament there is no doubt that India is the team that the odds favor. Park and play on home ground; depth of batting order and form all add up to be a considerable advantage for India. If India bats first and scores 320 or better, the chances of holding New Zealand to that total are slim.
Despite being more challenging than before, New Zealand has a slim chance of coming back from their current series-momentum deficit. A large first evaluating score, or quick wickets taken when defending by New Zealand, ideally opens the door to an unexpected win for New Zealand. That said, New Zealand has yet to display any real consistency in all departments of the game.
Predicted Match Scores:
- If India bats 1st: 300 - 330
- If New Zealand bats 1st: 270 – 315
- Expected result: India to win and clinch the series, 2 - 0.
Where Momentum and Opportunity Collide
The playing conditions heading into the 2nd ODI at Rajkot provide an intersecting opportunity for both teams. India has the edge to close the series in their fashion. And New Zealand looks to maintain its fighting with opponents to stay alive in the contest. With the pitch conducive to running and weather conditions forecast to be optimal for fielding, both teams find themselves at the edge of another quality match.
How this encounter pans out and whether we witness an Indian exhibition of supremacy or a New Zealand resurgence will be contingent on both teams performing well under pressure, a defining characteristic of this historic competition for more than 25 years.
