IND vs NZ 2nd ODI begins in Rajkot: New Zealand bowl first, India make one change

New Zealand opted to bowl after winning the toss in the second ODI against India in Rajkot, as Team India made a forced change due to Washington Sundar’s injury.

The second One Day International between India and New Zealand got underway today at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot, Gujarat, with both teams aiming to gain the upper hand in the closely watched series.

New Zealand captain won the toss and decided to field first, putting Team India in to bat. The decision has added to the excitement around the match, as the Rajkot pitch is known to support batting, especially as the game progresses.

Also Read:All eyes on Rohit Sharma in Rajkot as inconsistency clouds future, Kohli’s 2027 World Cup dream gathers pace

India made a change to their playing XI for this match. All-rounder Washington Sundar has been ruled out due to pain caused by an injury, and Nitish Reddy has been included in the team in his place. This comes after an injury scare earlier during net practice, where wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant was also hurt, raising concerns over player fitness.

Much of the attention today is on senior batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Kohli was in fine form in the previous match, scoring 93 runs but narrowly missing out on a century. Shubman Gill also contributed with a half-century before getting out, showing promise at the top of the order.

India’s batting line-up looks strong on paper, and with New Zealand choosing to bowl first, the responsibility lies on the Indian batters to post a big total. A score above 300 is seen as crucial if India hopes to put pressure on the visitors and secure a win.

New Zealand, on the other hand, will look to strike early with the ball and restrict India to a manageable total in what promises to be a high-intensity contest.