India vs New Zealand 2nd ODI: Wellington rain threatens India’s bid for 2-0; Siraj likely back

Rain may have the first say when India try to go 2-0 up in the India vs New Zealand 2nd ODI at Wellington’s Hnry Stadium on Saturday, 7 November. The first ball is due at 7.30 am IST, or 3 pm local time, and India could not even train outdoors on Friday, 6 November, after drizzle settled over the city from the morning and stayed.

The home side moved their session indoors to a facility at Wellington College. The match-day forecast offers little relief. It gives a 55 to 60 per cent chance of rain at the start, a drier spell in the late afternoon and more showers by night.

Siraj in line to return

India are 1-0 up in the five-match series after a five-wicket win at Eden Park on Wednesday, 4 November. Their young seamers dismissed New Zealand for 185 in 40.2 overs, with Arshdeep Singh taking four for 70 and Gurnoor Brar three for 44. Virat Kohli then made 74 off 51 balls as India reached a rain-revised 143 in 22.4 overs. Anshul Kamboj, who gave away 22 runs for his two wickets, was Player of the Match.

Hyderabad fast bowler Mohammed Siraj missed that game because he was turning out for India A in a four-day match against New Zealand A. He is expected to come back in Wellington, most likely for Auqib Nabi, who is still looking for his first wicket after two ODIs. With Jasprit Bumrah kept back for the Tests and Prasidh Krishna out with a hamstring injury, Siraj would be the senior man in the pace group.

Rohit Sharma, who fell without scoring in the first over at Auckland, will want a longer stay. Axar Patel is set to stay as the only spinner, which would keep Kuldeep Yadav out again.

Conway out, Henry cleared

New Zealand have lost opener Devon Conway for the rest of the series. He has not recovered from a concussion suffered in a collision with fast bowler Matt Henry during a session a day before the opener, and Nick Kelly has been called up. New Zealand Cricket cleared Henry on Friday, so he is available for selection.

The venue holds a recent good memory for India: Abhishek Sharma struck 113 off 38 balls there on 27 October as they chased 199 to clinch the T20I series. After Wellington, the series moves to Hamilton on Tuesday, 10 November, and ends with two games at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, on 13 and 15 November.