Wellington: India defeated New Zealand by four runs under the Duckworth/Lewis (DLS) method following a rain stoppage here on Saturday.
India were 113/7 in 26 overs, and needed 22 runs from 66 balls when play was called off.
Batting first, New Zealand were bowled out for 134 following a disastrous outing in rainy Wellington, with Gurnoor Brar picking four wickets for 30 runs in 10 overs. Daryl Mitchell top-scored for New Zealand with a sedate 55 off 104 balls.
India won the first ODI of the five-match series by five wickets, and now leads the rubber 2-0.
Jacob Duffy gave New Zealand a flying start, dismissing India captain Shubman Gill for a duck and Virat Kohli for seven. Rohit Sharma managed 23 before falling to Kyle Jamieson, while Axar Patel soon followed, leaving India reeling at 47/4. Shreyas Iyer and Rahul attempted to steady the innings with a 39-run partnership. However, Jamieson returned to strike twice in quick succession, removing Iyer and Anshul Kamboj to put New Zealand back in the contest.
Earlier, India captain Shubman Gill won the toss and elected to bowl, looking to make the most of the overcast conditions. The match was reduced to 47 overs per side after rain delayed the start. New Zealand got off to a disastrous start as Auqib Nabi struck twice to remove both openers. Tim Seifert departed for a five-ball duck, while Will Young managed just six off 17 deliveries. Anshul Kamboj then dismissed Henry Nicholls for 11, leaving the hosts reeling at 23/3 inside the powerplay.
Harpreet Brar took centre stage after the powerplay, producing a double-wicket maiden to dismiss Tom Latham and Glenn Phillips with two well-directed short-pitched deliveries.
Daryl Mitchell, who had been dropped by Gill, then joined forces with Mitchell Santner to put together a 59-run partnership and steady the innings. However, Mitchell's resistance ended at 55 when Axar Patel induced a mistimed lofted drive. New Zealand managed just 15 more runs before being bowled out for 134.
Brar was the pick of the Indian bowlers, finishing with career-best figures of 4/30 in his 10 overs. Axar, Nabi and Kamboj chipped in with two wickets apiece.
The third ODI will take place on November 10, 2026, at Seddon Park in Hamilton.
Brief scores:
New Zealand: 134 all out in 41 overs (Daryl Mitchell 55; Gurnoor Brar 4/30).
India: 113/7 in 26 overs (Shreyas Iyer 30; Kyle Jamieson 3/35, Jacob Duffy 3/25).
(With inputs from PTI)