India vs New Zealand: Following a stunning 4-wicket victory in the series opener, Team India would be keen to seal the series with a 2-0 win with one more game to spare in the 3rd ODI in Indore.

A victory in the forthcoming ODI match in Rajkot would mark the first series triumph for India this calendar year. Mainly, Shubman Gill would be keen to secure his maiden ODI series win as captain following a disappointing outing in the Australian tour.

Virat Kohli being at the peak form of his career is certainly a big boon for Team India to challenge any team’s competitive bowling attack.

New Zealand, on the other hand, strives to achieve a convincing win to remain alive in the 3-match ODI series. 

This preview helps to predict the winner of the IND vs NZ 2nd ODI 2026 clash by analyzing the head-to-head records in the 50-over format, weather and pitch conditions, toss factor, and expected playing XI.

IND vs NZ 2nd ODI Match 2026 Guide

• Men’s ODI Number: 4938
• Series: IND vs NZ 3-match ODI Series 2026
• Match Number in Series: 2nd out of 3rd ODI
• Date: January 14, 2026
• Day: Wednesday
• Venue: Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot, Khandheri
• Allowable Seating Limit: 28,500
• Match Timings (IST):
  • Toss: 13:00
  • 1st Innings: 13.30 to 17.00
  • Innings Break: 17.00 to 17.30
  • 2nd Innings: 17.30 to 21.00

India vs New Zealand Head-to-Head Stats in ODI Cricket

Following a sensational victory in the opening clash, India extended its dominance against New Zealand in the ODI format, and here are the head-to-head stats:

• IND vs NZ Total ODIs Played: 121
  
• Winnings:
  
  • India: 63
  • New Zealand: 50
    
• ODIs Won at Home Venues (IND vs NZ):
  
  • India: 32
  • New Zealand: 26
    
• ODIs Won Away Venues (IND vs NZ):
  
  • India: 14
  • New Zealand: 08
    
• ODIs Won at Neutral Venues (IND vs NZ):
  
  • India: 17
  • New Zealand: 16
    
• Highest ODI Innings Total in IND vs NZ Matches:
  
  • India: 397/4 in 50 overs at Wankhede Stadium (ICC World Cup 2023 Semi-Final Match on November 15, 2023)
    
  • New Zealand: 349/9 in 50 overs at Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Ground (on November 05, 1999)
    
• Lowest ODI Innings Total in IND vs NZ Matches:
  
  
  • India: 88/10 in 29.3 overs at Rangiri Dambulla Stadium (Sri Lanka Triangular Series 2010 on August 10, 2010)
    
  • New Zealand: 79/10 in 23.1 overs at ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam (on October 29, 2016)

Rajkot Weather Forecast Reports for India vs New Zealand 2nd ODI 2026

Although there are no chances of rain, the latest weather forecast reveals the extreme cold conditions in Rajkot, which can make the playing conditions tougher during the 2nd ODI between India and New Zealand:

• Temperature: 18 °C to 27 °C
• Wind Speed: 11 km/hr to 13 km/hr
• Humidity: 12% to 23%
• Dew Point: -6° to -2°C
• Cloud Cover: 0%
• Rainfall Probability: NIL

Niranjan Shah Stadium Pitch Report for IND vs NZ 2nd ODI 2026

The Niranjan Shah stadium has proven to be highly favorable for the teams that bat first. Out of 7 ODIs played, 6 of them were won by the teams that batted first.

Only once was the chasing side able to achieve victory when the Indian women’s team triumphed over Ireland in a 239-run chase back in January 2025.

Pacers can prove to be lethal in the first innings (only in the powerplays), while spinners are likely to play a crucial role in the latter half.

Batting or Bowling? IND vs NZ 2nd ODI 2026 Toss Winning Captain Decision

With the dew factor unlikely to play a major role in the second innings, both India and New Zealand team captains would prefer to bat first after winning the toss.

Chasing a target above 280 or 300 can be highly challenging in the second innings at this venue, particularly while tackling the spin bowling attack.

India vs New Zealand 2nd ODI 2026 Possible Playing XI

In contrast to the opening ODI clash, India and New Zealand are expected to make changes in the playing XI for the upcoming match:

India’s Expected Starting XI vs New Zealand 2nd ODI 2026:

1. Rohit Sharma: Batter
2. Shubman Gill (Captain): Batter
3. Virat Kohli: Batter
4. Shreyas Iyer: Batter
5. KL Rahul: Wicketkeeper and Batter
6. Ravindra Jadeja: All-Rounder
7. Nitish Kumar Reddy: All-Rounder
8. Harshit Rana: Bowler
9. Kuldeep Yadav: Bowler
10. Prasidh Krishna: Bowler
11. Mohammed Siraj: Bowler

New Zealand’s Expected Starting XI vs India 2nd ODI 2026:

1. Devon Conway: Batter
2. Henry Nicholls: Batter
3. Will Young: Batter
4. Daryl Mitchell: All-Rounder
5. Glenn Phillips: All-Rounder
6. Mitchell Hay: Wicketkeeper and Batter
7. Josh Clarkson: All-Rounder
8. Michael Bracewell (Captain): All-Rounder
9. Michael Rae: Bowler
10. Kyle Jamieson: Bowler
11. Adithya Ashok: Bowler

2nd ODI 2026 Winner Prediction: India or New Zealand?

Both India and New Zealand hold equal chances of winning the 2nd ODI match in Rajkot. However, the hosts’ strong head-to-head record makes them the favorites to triumph over the Black Caps.

In conclusion, the first batting team equipped with highly skilled batters in the playing XI will have improved chances of securing a victory on a challenging pitch like the Niranjan Shah stadium.