India and New Zealand Face Off in 2nd ODI at Batting-Friendly Rajkot Pitch

The second ODI between India and New Zealand is set for January 14, 2026, at Rajkot's Niranjan Shah Stadium, with India leading the series 1-0 after a four-wicket win in Vadodara. The pitch is known for favoring batsmen, often rewarding teams batting first with high scores. India aims to seal the series, relying on key players like Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill, while New Zealand, missing senior players including Kane Williamson, seeks to stay competitive. Weather conditions are expected to be clear and conducive to uninterrupted play. India has made squad changes due to injuries, with Ayush Badoni and Nitish Kumar Reddy in contention. New Zealand won the toss and elected to field first, setting the stage for India to bat.