# India Targets Series Lead Against New Zealand in Second ODI India's pace-heavy bowling attack aims to exploit New Zealand's batting vulnerabilities in Wellington. - **Source:** [The Hindu – Cricket](https://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket) - **Published:** 2026-11-06 - **Topic:** [sports](https://brifing.si/c/sports) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/96dfbb07-245d-4874-831d-3a96e35c05ff ## Pace Attack Dominance India enters the second ODI in Wellington on November 7, 2026, aiming to extend their series lead. The team's inexperienced pace quartet, featuring Gurnoor Brar, Anshul Kamboj, and Arshdeep Singh, successfully dismantled the New Zealand lineup in the series opener, signaling a potential tactical shift for head coach Gautam Gambhir. ## Tactical Venue Adjustments Unlike the short straight boundaries at Eden Park, the Hnry Stadium features shorter square boundaries. This change requires Indian pacers to adjust their lengths, likely bowling fuller deliveries to counter the ground dimensions. Kamboj, who delivered 46 dot balls in the first match, remains a key figure in India's strategic bowling plan. ## Bowling Selection Dilemma While Arshdeep Singh and Auqib Nabi opened the bowling previously, team management is considering rotating the lineup. Mohammed Siraj remains a potential inclusion to replace Nabi, though fielding coach Shubhadeep Ghosh stated that final decisions rest with the management. The team is keeping their specific selection plans private before the match. ## Batting Performance Analysis Rohit Sharma seeks a rebound after his early dismissal in the first match, while Virat Kohli displayed fluency against extra bounce. Conversely, Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel struggled against short-pitched deliveries. The Indian batting unit must refine their technique against bouncers to maintain dominance over the hosts in the upcoming clash. ## New Zealand's Batting Struggles New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner acknowledged that his team failed to handle the extra bounce generated by Indian pacers during the first game. The hosts are currently struggling to counter aggressive short-ball tactics, a vulnerability that India is expected to exploit again as the pitch in Wellington offers similar carry and bounce. ## Conway Ruled Out New Zealand suffered a significant blow as Devon Conway was ruled out of the remainder of the series following a concussion sustained during a training collision. While teammate Matt Henry has recovered from the same incident and is available, the loss of Conway forces the hosts to rely on squad depth. ## Squad Depth Challenges Blair Tickner noted that the team is dealing with a grueling schedule and multiple injuries. Despite the setback, New Zealand is bringing in Kelly to replace Conway, viewing the situation as an opportunity for other players to step up. The hosts must now reorganize their batting order to remain competitive against India. ## Series Outlook India holds the momentum following their performance in Auckland, with their pace-heavy strategy proving effective against New Zealand's current lineup. With the series lead at stake, the second ODI will test whether the hosts can adapt to the bounce or if India's bowlers will continue to dictate the proceedings in Wellington. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/india-vs-new-zealand-second-odi-in-wellington-on-november-7-2026/article71673163.ece — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._