India stave off New Zealand challenge in close Wellington win
Pacers from both teams called the shots in a thrilling encounter in Wellington.
A rain-impacted thriller was eventually taken by India, who won the game by four runs (DLS Method) against a much-improved New Zealand performance.
Gurnoor Brar's four-wicket haul set the tone while crucial knocks from KL Rahul (26*), Shreyas Iyer (30) and Rohit Sharma (23) guided the tourists in a low-scoring chase where bounce troubled the batters.
India's four-pronged pace attack was once again the centre of attention in Wellington as career-best performance from Gurnoor Brar (4/30) led the way, with Auqib Nabi (2/31) and Anshul Kamboj (2/25) also among the wickets.
Axar Patel's spin also stood out as the all-rounder contributed with the big wickets of Daryl Mitchell (55) in his spell of 2/28.
Mitchell was the only resistance in New Zealand's stop-start innings which began after a rain delay and wasn't able to take off. Early strikes from Nabi and Kamboj left the Kiwis as 23/3 in the ninth over, with the exposed middle-order struggling against the moving ball.
It took Daryl Mitchell and Mitchell Santner to stabilise the innings with their 59-run stand for the sixth wicket. But after Mitchell fell while trying to unleash a six off Axar and Santner fell to Brar, there was little resistance from the hosts. They were bowled out for 134 in 41 overs.
Brar was the standout bowler, utilising the extra bounce off the wicket to perfection, while Axar impressed with his ability to control the run-scoring.
Chasing 135 from 47 overs, India had a tough task ahead with New Zealand's formidable pace attack.
Jacob Duffy was all over India's top-order, sending back Shubman Gill (0) and Virat Kohli (7) in his first two overs. Rohit Sharma and Shreyas Iyer then came together to keep India's chase going.
Peppered with shorter balls, Rohit responded with a flurry of attacking pull shots, amidst a host of plays and misses, as India continued to live dangerously.
Rohit eventually succumbed to a fullish delivery, giving an outside edge to the slip off Jamieson. Axar Patel was sent in to stem the flow of wickets but could add only seven before he fell to Matthew Fisher.
Shreyas and KL Rahul, coming in at No.6, were under immense pressure despite the relatively docile asking rate. After watchful play, both batters played their shots and got India's chase back on track.
Best of Shreyas Iyer at the World Cup | CWC23
Best of Shreyas Iyer at the World Cup | CWC23
Just when India seemed to have the upper hand, Jamieson struck off the final ball of the 20th over, dismissing Shreyas (30) with a short delivery.
49 still needed with five wickets in hand, the game had suddenly opened up. Naman Dhir kept the runs coming, and India were within 27 of the ask when the batter fell, caught off in the deep while going for a six against Duffy.
The Black Caps were well and truly into India's tail. But rain arrived to stop the game, with the tourists marginally ahead by the DLS system.
It eventually proved to be the decisive factor as the tourists took a 2-0 lead in the five game series.
India v New Zealand ODI series schedule:
First ODI: November 4, Auckland [India won by 5 wickets (DLS method)]
Second ODI: November 7, Wellington [India won by Four Runs (DLS Method)]
Third ODI: November 10, Hamilton
Fourth ODI: November 13, Mount Mounganui
Fifth ODI: November 15, Mount Mounganui
