Brar’s career-best 4/30 gives India 2-0 lead in Wellington

Gurnoor Brar took a career-best 4/30 in the second ODI at Hnry Stadium, Wellington, on Saturday, 7 November, bowling New Zealand out for 134. India won by 4 runs (DLS method) and lead the five-match series 2-0.

Brar was named Player of the Match. He credited the team environment and the steady backing of the coaching staff and captain Shubman Gill for letting him bowl with freedom.

The spell

Brar’s figures were 10-2-30-4, the best of the India attack. Axar Patel took 2/28, Auqib Nabi 2/31 and Anshul Kamboj 2/25, while Arshdeep Singh went wicketless for 16 runs in seven overs.

Daryl Mitchell top-scored for New Zealand with 55 off 104 balls, and Mitchell Santner added 31 off 38. No other batter passed 11.

Gill’s view

Brar praised Gill for building confidence across the squad and an environment that values process over results. Gill, in turn, backed the young pacer to become more consistent with experience.

The chase was disrupted by rain. India were 113/7 when play stopped, four runs ahead of the DLS par score, and that proved enough. Kyle Jamieson took 3/35 and Jacob Duffy 3/35 for New Zealand. Shreyas Iyer made 30 and KL Rahul was unbeaten on 26.

What’s next

Three matches remain. The third ODI is at Seddon Park, Hamilton, on Tuesday, 10 November at 7:30 AM IST, followed by the fourth ODI on Friday, 13 November and the fifth on Sunday, 15 November, both also at 7:30 AM IST.