### India vs New Zealand 2nd ODI: A Crucial Match in Rajkot The second One-Day International (ODI) between India and New Zealand is set to take place today, January 14, 2026, at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot. India currently leads the three-match series 1-0 after a thrilling victory in the first ODI. The match is expected to be played on a pitch that favors batters, with sunny weather conditions anticipated throughout the day. Notably, India has made a change to their lineup, bringing in seam-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy to replace the injured Washington Sundar, while New Zealand has handed a debut to left-arm spinner Jayden Lennox [https://www.livemint.com/sports/cricket-news/india-vs-new-zealand-ind-nz-2nd-odi-when-and-where-to-watch-live-streaming-details-pitch-report-rajkot-stadium-stats-11768362759442.html, https://www.newindianexpress.com/sport/cricket/2026/jan/14/rajkot-odi-rahuls-unbeaten-112-lifts-india-to-2847-against-new-zealand]. ### Match Overview and Key Details 1. **Match Context**: - India leads the series 1-0 after winning the first ODI by four wickets. - The match is crucial for India to secure an unassailable lead in the series. 2. **Toss and Team Changes**: - New Zealand won the toss and opted to bowl first. - India has made one change, with Nitish Kumar Reddy replacing Washington Sundar due to injury [https://www.republicworld.com/cricket/live-cricket-score-india-vs-new-zealand-2nd-odi-updates-rajkot-ball-by-ball-commentary-rohit-virat-kohli-gill-live-news, https://telanganatoday.com/india-bring-in-nitish-reddy-as-new-zealand-opt-to-bowl-in-second-odi]. 3. **Pitch and Weather Conditions**: - The pitch is expected to be batter-friendly, which could lead to a high-scoring match. - Sunny weather is forecasted, which should not affect play [https://www.cricketcountry.com/news/india-vs-new-zealand-2nd-odi-2026-weather-pitch-report-and-match-preview-at-rajkot-1320016]. 4. **Key Players to Watch**: - Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are expected to be pivotal in India's batting lineup. - Shubman Gill, the captain, is also in good form, having scored a half-century in the previous match [https://www.india.com/sports/india-vs-new-zealand-live-score-2nd-odi-match-on-14-january-ind-vs-nz-squad-key-players-shubman-gill-michael-bracewell-niranjan-shah-stadium-pitch-report-rajkot-weather-8267583]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Previous Match Performance**: - In the first ODI, India chased down a target of 301 runs, with Virat Kohli scoring 93 runs and Rahul contributing significantly [https://www.ndtvprofit.com/sports/india-vs-new-zealand-live-streaming-how-to-watch-ind-vs-nz-2nd-odi-live-on-tv-and-online]. - **Player Statistics**: - Rahul scored an unbeaten 112 runs in the second ODI, leading India to a total of 284/7 against New Zealand [https://www.newindianexpress.com/sport/cricket/2026/jan/14/rajkot-odi-rahuls-unbeaten-112-lifts-india-to-2847-against-new-zealand]. ### Conclusion and Key Takeaways In summary, the second ODI between India and New Zealand is poised to be an exciting encounter, with India looking to extend their series lead. The match will be played under favorable conditions for batting, and both teams have made strategic changes to their lineups. 1. **India aims to secure a series win**: A victory today would give India a 2-0 lead in the series. 2. **New Zealand's young squad**: With several key players resting, New Zealand's inexperienced side will be tested against a strong Indian batting lineup. 3. **Key players to perform**: The performance of players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Shubman Gill will be crucial for India's success [https://www.outlookindia.com/sports/cricket/india-vs-new-zealand-live-streaming-2nd-odi-2026-when-where-to-watch-pitch-weather-report]. This match not only holds significance for the series but also for individual players looking to make their mark in international cricket.