India registered a dramatic four-run win over New Zealand in a rain-interrupted second ODI in Wellington, taking a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. Young fast bowler Gurnoor Brar played a decisive role in the victory, delivering an outstanding performance with the ball to dismantle the New Zealand batting line-up.
After opting to bowl first, India restricted the hosts to 134 runs in 41 overs. Brar spearheaded the bowling attack, claiming four wickets for 30 runs. His impressive spell kept New Zealand under pressure and prevented the hosts from posting a competitive total.
Chasing 135 for victory, India struggled to establish control despite the modest target. Shubman Gill departed without scoring, while Rohit Sharma managed 23 runs and Virat Kohli was dismissed for seven. Shreyas Iyer contributed 30 runs, while KL Rahul remained unbeaten on 26. New Zealand’s Jacob Duffy and Kyle Jamieson picked up three wickets each for 35 runs, reducing India to 113/7 and keeping the contest alive.
Rain eventually brought the match to a halt at a crucial stage. With India four runs ahead of the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) par score, the visitors were declared winners. The result gave India a 2-0 advantage in the five-match series and strengthened their chances of completing a clean sweep. Brar’s four-wicket haul and the middle order’s contributions proved crucial in securing the hard-fought victory.