India survive New Zealand scare in rain-soaked thriller, take 2-0 lead after four-run DLS win in 2nd ODI

India Survives New Zealand Scare (ANI Image) India held their nerve in a rain-interrupted low-scoring thriller to beat New Zealand by four runs via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method in the second ODI on Saturday to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. In a match dominated by fast bowlers, India’s pace attack sealed victory by bowling out the hosts for 134 before Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul steadied a shaky chase that was eventually interrupted by rain in Wellington.Chasing a revised target, India were struggling at 113/7 when the weather intervened, leaving them 22 runs short of the target. However, they stayed ahead in the DLS even score to seal a hard-fought victory and put themselves in a strong position in the series.

Duffy’s early strikes by Jamieson puts India under pressure

India’s chase got off to a disastrous start when Jacob Duffy struck with his very first delivery and dismissed Shubman Gill for a golden duck. The right-arm pacer returned in his next over to remove Virat Kohli, putting the visitors in early trouble.Rohit Sharma tried to provide some momentum but the New Zealand seamers continued to apply the pressure. Kyle Jamieson produced a disciplined spell to remove the key batsmen and leave India hanging on at 47/4, putting the hosts firmly back in the contest.Wickets fell at regular intervals and Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul took the responsibility of rebuilding the innings. Iyer made a valuable 30 off 46 deliveries to help India recover from early setbacks.Meanwhile, Rahul remained unbeaten on 26 off 38 balls, hitting two fours and two sixes. He held one end together as wickets continued to pour in before rain brought the match to an early end.

India’s quick attack destroyed New Zealand for 134

Earlier, the Indian fast bowlers put in a commanding performance to restrict New Zealand to just 134 in 41 overs. The match was reduced to 47 overs per side after the rain, but the home side struggled to match the pace and accuracy of the visitors.Auqib Nabi gave India an early breakthrough as he removed openers Tim Seifert and Will Young to put New Zealand on the back foot. Seifert’s dismissal also marked Nabi’s first international goal.New Zealand were further in trouble at 53/3 as Gurnoor Brar took a double wicket to dismiss skipper Tom Latham and in-form Glenn Phillips. Twin attacks left the hosts scrambling to recover from early damage.Daryl Mitchell put up some resistance with a patient 55 off 104 balls. He got a reprieve in the 21st over when Shubman Gill dropped a straight catch at cover and the right-hander made the most of the opportunity to keep the New Zealand innings moving.Captain Mitchell Santner provided some support with 31 off 38 deliveries as the pair added 59 runs for the sixth wicket. However, the lower order failed to build on their contribution as New Zealand were eventually bowled out for 134.Brar was India’s outstanding bowler, finishing with figures of 4/30, while Nabi, Anshul Kamboj and Axar Patel took two wickets each.

India lead 2-0 as the series heads to Hamilton

The four-run win at DLS gives India a 2-0 lead in the five-match ODI series, leaving New Zealand with plenty of work to do in the remaining matches.