Wellington, 07 November (H.S.): India's bowlers continued their impressive performance in the second One-Day International, dismissing New Zealand for a modest 134. The hosts were bowled out in 40.6 overs at the Basin Reserve's Henry Stadium on Saturday. Gurnoor Brar delivered a career-best performance, claiming four wickets, while Aqib Nabi, Anshul Kamboj and Axar Patel picked up two wickets each.

After a rain-induced delay, Indian captain Shubman Gill won the toss and elected to bowl first. Taking full advantage of the overcast conditions and favourable bowling conditions, the Indian attack struck at regular intervals, preventing the New Zealand batters from settling at the crease or playing freely.

New Zealand got off to a disastrous start as Aqib Nabi sent both openers back to the pavilion. Tim Seifert was dismissed without scoring, while Will Young managed just six runs off 17 deliveries. Anshul Kamboj then removed Henry Nicholls for 11, leaving New Zealand struggling at 23 for three.

Daryl Mitchell anchored the innings with a fighting knock of 55 off 104 deliveries, striking five boundaries and two sixes. Captain Mitchell Santner provided valuable support, scoring 31 off 38 balls. The pair stitched together a 59-run partnership for the sixth wicket, attempting to stabilise the New Zealand innings after the early collapse.

However, Gurnoor Brar tightened India's grip on the match with two crucial wickets in the 20th over, dismissing Tom Latham and Glenn Phillips in quick succession. Both batters fell for single-digit scores, leaving New Zealand struggling to recover.

Brar finished with impressive figures of four wickets for 30 runs in his 10 overs, marking the best bowling performance of his career. Axar Patel claimed two wickets for 28 runs, while Auqib Nabi returned figures of two for 31. Anshul Kamboj also picked up two wickets, including the final dismissal of Blair Tickner, who was bowled for two runs.

Arshdeep Singh went wicketless but maintained tight control over his bowling, keeping the New Zealand batters under pressure.

New Zealand had also struggled in the opening ODI, managing only 185 runs before being bowled out. Their dismissal for 134 in the second match once again highlighted India's bowling dominance and the continued difficulties faced by the hosts' batting line-up.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar