Wellington, 07 November (H.S.): A superb bowling performance by fast bowler Gurnoor Brar powered India to a four-run victory over New Zealand under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method in the rain-affected second One-Day International on Saturday.

In the match played at Hnry Stadium in Wellington, Brar claimed four wickets for 30 runs as New Zealand were bowled out for 134 in 41 overs. In reply, India had reached 113 for seven in 26 overs when rain forced play to be abandoned. At that stage, India were four runs ahead of the DLS par score and were consequently declared winners.

The victory gave India an unassailable 2-0 advantage in the five-match series, with the third ODI scheduled to be played in Hamilton on November 10.

Chasing a target of 135, India got off to a disastrous start. Captain Shubman Gill was dismissed for a duck by Jacob Duffy in the very first over, leaving India at four for one after 1.1 overs.

Virat Kohli opened his account with a fine cover drive against Duffy, while Rohit Sharma struck a boundary off Kyle Jamieson. However, Kohli fell while attempting an aggressive shot against Duffy, with Will Young taking the catch. He scored seven runs, leaving India at 17 for two after 3.4 overs.

Rohit then attempted to revive the innings, hitting two sixes off Jamieson, including his trademark pull shot. However, he was caught by Henry Nicholls at slip off the same bowler. Rohit scored 23 off 27 balls, including two fours and two sixes, as India slipped to 39 for three in 8.4 overs.

Axar Patel also struggled to make an impact with the bat and was dismissed by Matthew Fisher for seven off 17 deliveries. India were reduced to 47 for four in 12.5 overs.

Vice-captain Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul then attempted to steady the innings, adding 39 runs for the fifth wicket. Rahul struck a four and a six in Nathan Smith's 16th over, while Iyer hit two boundaries in Fisher's 19th over.

Jamieson eventually broke the partnership by dismissing Iyer, who scored 30 off 46 balls, including four fours and a six. India lost their fifth wicket at 86 in the 20th over.

Rahul brought up India's 100 in the 23rd over with a six. However, Naman Dhir could not provide him with prolonged support, as his attempted lofted shot was caught by Tim Seifert at deep backward square leg. Naman scored 12 off 16 balls, taking India's score to 108 for six.

Jamieson then dismissed Anshul Kamboj for one, leaving India at 111 for seven. Rain subsequently halted play. Rahul remained unbeaten on 26 off 38 deliveries, having struck two fours and two sixes, while Auqib Nabi was also unbeaten on one. With India four runs ahead of the DLS par score at 113 for seven after 26 overs, the visitors were declared winners.

## Gurnoor's incisive bowling restricts New Zealand to 134

Earlier, in a match delayed by rain, Indian captain Shubman Gill won the toss and elected to bowl. The Indian bowlers made excellent use of the overcast conditions, striking at regular intervals and preventing the New Zealand batters from building substantial partnerships. The hosts were eventually bowled out for 134 in 41 overs.

New Zealand endured a disastrous start as Auqib Nabi dismissed both opening batters. Tim Seifert failed to open his account in five deliveries, while Will Young managed just six runs off 17 balls. Anshul Kamboj then removed Henry Nicholls for 11, leaving New Zealand struggling at 23 for three.

Daryl Mitchell held one end together with a determined innings of 55 off 104 deliveries, including five fours and two sixes. He received support from captain Mitchell Santner, who scored 31 off 38 balls. The pair added 59 runs for the sixth wicket, briefly helping New Zealand recover from their early setbacks.

However, Gurnoor Brar broke the partnership by dismissing Santner. He then struck again in quick succession, sending Tom Latham and Glenn Phillips back to the pavilion and further deepening New Zealand's troubles.

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

Arshdeep Singh went wicketless but maintained tight control with the ball, restricting the New Zealand batters' scoring opportunities.

In the first ODI, New Zealand had been bowled out for 185 runs, while India's bowlers restricted them to 134 in the second match. Their successive disciplined performances have put India in a commanding position in the series.

The third ODI between the two teams will be played in Hamilton on November 10.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar