India vs New Zealand 2nd ODI 2026: Weather, pitch report, and match preview at Rajkot

Team India got off to a strong start in the 2026 ODI series, beating New Zealand by four wickets in the first match at Vadodara’s Kotambi Stadium on Sunday. Chasing a target of 301, the Shubman Gill-led Men in Blue finished the game with an over to spare.

The second ODI will be played three days later in Rajkot at the Niranjan Shah Stadium, where India will aim to seal the three-match series with a win.

New Zealand, led by Michael Bracewell in the absence of Kane Williamson, fought hard. Kyle Jamieson’s three wickets brought the Black Caps back into the contest, making the match exciting until the final moments.

Washington Sundar ruled out, Ayush Badoni joins squad

All-rounder Washington Sundar, who played in the first ODI, has been ruled out due to injury. He has been replaced by Ayush Badoni, a right-handed batsman from Delhi who plays for Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL.

Badoni has experience at the domestic level but is yet to make his debut for India. His inclusion opens up possibilities for India in the number five batting position.

Rajkot Weather Forecast for IND vs NZ 2nd ODI

Unlike northern India, Rajkot is expected to have pleasant weather on match day. According to Accuweather, the city will see plenty of sunshine with a maximum of 27°C and a minimum of 13°C.

During the match start at 1:30 PM IST, temperatures are expected to hover around 25°C and are unlikely to drop below 20°C before the game ends. With such conditions, the dew factor is expected to be minimal, just like in Vadodara, so bowlers shouldn’t face major challenges under lights.

Pitch Report: How the Niranjan Shah Stadium will play

The pitch at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot is known to be batting-friendly, offering good bounce and true carry. Historically, teams have posted high totals here, with the highest ODI score reaching 352. No team has been bowled out below 250 in ODIs at this ground.

Expect the pitch to favor the batters again, which could lead to another high-scoring and competitive match between India and New Zealand.

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