India vs New Zealand (2nd ODI): Preview, Probable XI & Prediction

India vs New Zealand (2nd ODI) is the must-watch game this week. Fans, fantasy players and bettors are already planning their moves. The second match of the three-ODI series is at Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot on January 14, 2026 (1:30 PM IST). This post gives a full preview, probable XIs, pitch and weather notes, betting tips, fantasy picks, and a clear prediction — all written in simple language to help you act fast and smart.

Note: The game has not started yet. Confirmed playing XIs will be decided at the toss. Use this guide for planning bets, fantasy teams and smart live-betting moves.

Why this match matters

• India won the first ODI and are favorites at home. That win gives momentum.
• Rajkot is a high-scoring ground early on. Dew often helps in chases. That changes live-betting odds in the second innings.
• New Zealand bring a strong pace attack and all-round depth. This series tests India’s balance before bigger events.

This article is built for readers who want clear betting insight. We use short sentences. We explain odds. We add safe and risky bet ideas. Let’s dive in.

Match / Event Overview

Match: India vs New Zealand (2nd ODI)
Date & Time: 14 January 2026 — 1:30 PM IST (D/N).
Venue: Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot.
Series: New Zealand tour of India — 3 ODIs (2nd match).

Quick form snapshot

• India: Won the 1st ODI in Vadodara chasing 301; Virat Kohli starred. Momentum is with India.
• New Zealand: Strong bowling and depth in batting. They will look to bounce back in Rajkot.

Why bettors are watching

• Match tempo: Rajkot often rewards batters early. Expect 300+ totals on a good day. That makes over/under and top-batter markets lively.
• Toss influence: Dew can make spinners less effective late. Teams chasing may get an advantage; live odds shift fast.
• Player matchups: India’s top order vs NZ’s new-ball seamers. Key over-by-over battles will move live markets.

Head-to-Head & Key Stats

Below is a simple H2 stat table comparing recent head-to-head and relevant series numbers that bettors use.

Stat	India	New Zealand
ODI matches between them (recent years)	More wins at home	Competitive in pace-friendly conditions
Last 5 ODIs (overall)	Strong batting form, Kohli in runs	Good seam attack & all-rounders
Rajkot relevant trend	High scoring; dew helps chases	Less exposure — must adapt to subcontinental spin late

Confirmed XIs come after the toss. Below are probable XIs based on squad lists, recent matches and team news. Use these for pre-match bets and fantasy drafts (swap if official XI differs at toss).

India (probable XI)

• Shubman Gill (c)
• Rohit Sharma
• Virat Kohli
• Shreyas Iyer / KL Rahul (flex)
• Yashasvi Jaiswal / Rishabh Pant (wk)
• Ravindra Jadeja / Washington Sundar (all-rounder)
• Kuldeep Yadav
• Mohammed Siraj
• Arshdeep Singh
• Prasidh Krishna
• (Bench: Ayush Badoni recently added as cover)

New Zealand (probable XI)

• Devon Conway
• Will Young
• Kane Williamson
• Daryl Mitchell
• Glenn Phillips
• Tom Latham (wk)
• James Neesham
• Mitchell Santner
• Trent Boult
• Tim Southee
• Lockie Ferguson

Tip: If Washington Sundar is unavailable, India may pick another spinner or a batting all-rounder. Reuters reported Sundar has been ruled out and Ayush Badoni has been added as cover. Adjust your fantasy/captain choices accordingly.

Pitch Report & Weather: Rajkot Insights

• Surface: Traditionally batting-friendly early. Pacers get assistance with a true bounce early on. Spinners come into play as the ball softens.
• Dew: Likely in evening. Dew favors teams chasing. That changes the value of “team to bat second” and affects spinner-heavy lineups.
• Weather: Check local forecasts on match day. Clouds reduce scoring; clear nights favor batters.

Betting angle: If toss winning captain chooses to bowl on a dewy night, it signals confidence in chasing. Live odds for the chasing side often shorten quickly after the toss. Use that when planning live “match winner” or “over/under” bets.

Match Prediction & Player Analysis

We break this into simple pieces — team strengths, weaknesses and then a short prediction.

India — strengths & weaknesses

Strengths

• Strong top order with Kohli, Rohit and Gill. Kohli’s recent ODI form is excellent.
• Variety in bowling: pace from Siraj/Arshdeep/Prasidh and spin from Kuldeep and Jadeja.
• Home advantage and crowd support.

Weaknesses

• Middle-order balance if wicketkeeper/batter combo shifts.
• Injury worries in spin-allrounder roles (Sundar news is relevant).

New Zealand — strengths & weaknesses

Strengths

• Seam attack (Boult, Southee, Ferguson) that can exploit early movement.
• Utility batters who can accelerate, e.g., Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell.

Weaknesses

• Adapting to spin later in the game.
• Slightly less experience on subcontinental pitches compared to India.

Storytelling moment

During last season, India chased 301 in Vadodara. Kohli and Gill built a big partnership. That chase showed India’s depth and ability to pace innings. Expect similar intent in Rajkot.

Expert-style prediction

• India are favorites. Home conditions and strong batting make them likely winners.
• Predicted result: India to win (pre-match). But expect close scoring and a possible New Zealand comeback if early wickets fall for India.

Betting Tips & Odds Overview

This section gives practical betting ideas. We split tips into safe, balanced, and risky. Remember: odds change quickly during live cricket betting. Bet responsibly.

Market 1 — Match Winner

• Safe bet (lower odds): India to win. Home advantage + recent form. Good for a conservative stake.
• Live strategy: If India lose early wickets, live odds for NZ will shorten. Consider a hedge if you bet pre-match.

Market 2 — Top Batter

• Top batter picks: Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Kane Williamson. Choose Kohli or Gill for captain/fantasy due to form and role.

Market 3 — Top Bowler

• Value picks: Mohammed Siraj (if pitches have bounce), Trent Boult or Tim Southee for early overs. Kuldeep for middle overs if India bats first.

Market 4 — Over/Under Runs (Team Totals)

• If the pitch shows signs of being flat and scoreboard grows fast, back Over 280 for India. If overcast and new ball moves, consider Under.
• Live tip: Watch the first 10 overs. If both openers score fast, over lines jump quickly.

Market 5 — Toss Prediction

• Data suggests captains batting second often prefer chasing in Rajkot when dew is expected. If weather shows dew, back “team to chase” markets or live chase odds.

Market 6 — Fantasy & Multi-market Combos

• Combine top batter + top bowler + match-winner in a small parlay to maximize returns. Use small stakes.

Safe Bets vs Risky Bets

Safe Bets

• India match-winner (small stake).
• Kohli top-4 finish (he often scores high).

Risky Bets

• Top six sixes in the match.
• Specific over-by-over markets early without checking weather.

Why the difference matters: Safe bets have lower odds but more predictable outcomes. Risky bets give big returns but need precise timing and on-ground info (toss, weather, pitch report).

How Odds Change During Live Cricket Betting

• Odds move fast after the toss. A single wicket in the first over can double the odds for the pre-match favorite.
• Dew and dusk changes: chasing becomes more attractive. Live markets reflect that within minutes.
• Use in-play features of your cricket betting app to hedge or cash out when clear momentum shifts occur.

Practical example: If India were +110 pre-match and lose two early wickets, India’s live odds might become +220. A small hedge on NZ live could lock profit if momentum flips.

Key Players to Watch

Pick 3–5 players who will likely decide the game. Short reasons and how they affect betting.

1. Virat Kohli (India) — Form: Excellent in recent ODIs. Big-impact batter. Good captain/fantasy pick.
2. Shubman Gill (India, c) — Young leader and an opening batter. Controls innings tempo.
3. Mohammed Siraj (India) — New-ball threat. Early wickets change markets for top bowler.
4. Kane Williamson (NZ) — Anchor batter. Good in run-chase and middle overs.
5. Trent Boult / Tim Southee (NZ) — Both swing the new ball. Key for early breakthroughs.

Betting impact: Pick one batter and one bowler as captain in your fantasy team. For live betting, watch the first 6 overs to judge bowlers’ impact.

Team News, Injuries & Lineup Updates

• Washington Sundar update: Sundar has been ruled out of the series due to a left lower rib issue. Ayush Badoni has been called up as replacement. This affects India’s spin/all-round balance.
• India made some changes after the 1st ODI — youth mixed with veterans. Expect the final XI to be announced after toss.

What to watch pre-toss

• Any last-minute change in India’s spinner or all-rounder pick. That choice alters Kuldeep/Jadeja’s responsibilities and affects middle-over markets.
• New Zealand’s combination — if they pick an extra seamer vs extra spinner.

Recent Form & Performance

India — Last 5 matches (summary)

• Strong batting performances. Recent high chase in 1st ODI. Kohli in top form.

New Zealand — Last 5 matches (summary)

• Competitive displays but mixed results on subcontinental tours. Bowling attack remains their strength.

Home vs Away

• India are stronger at home, especially in ODI chases. New Zealand play well in seam-friendly conditions but must adapt to spin later.

Betting implication: Favor India pre-match in Rajkot. But keep small live budgets ready for New Zealand if early conditions favor seam bowling.

Fantasy Tips — Build Your Best XI

Simple plan for fantasy players.

1. Captain pick (C): Virat Kohli / Shubman Gill — dependable.
2. Vice-captain (VC): Kane Williamson or Rohit Sharma.
3. Bowlers: Pick one from Siraj / Boult / Southee. Add Kuldeep if India plays him for middle overs.
4. All-rounder: Jadeja or Daryl Mitchell — gives balance.
5. Wicketkeeper: Tom Latham or Rishabh Pant — depending on XI.

Tip: If an early wicket falls, switch captaincy in live fantasy apps to a middle-order batter who will face sufficient balls.

Upcoming Fixtures & Series Impact

• This games sits in a short 3-ODI series. Each match is crucial. India leads 1–0 (after Vadodara). Winning Rajkot gives India a series seal or puts NZ in a must-win final.

Why that matters for betting

• Teams often rotate players ahead of major tournaments. India may test bench strength. That can change odds for match-winner and player markets. New Zealand may fight hard to keep series alive, raising the intensity.

FAQs

Q1: Who will win India vs New Zealand (2nd ODI)?
A: Pre-match the form and venue favor India. But cricket is uncertain. Check toss and confirmed XIs before large bets.

Q2: What are the betting odds for India vs New Zealand (2nd ODI)?
A: Odds vary by bookmaker and time. Use a reliable cricket betting app or online cricket betting sites to compare prices. Odds will shift after toss and early overs.

Q3: Which app is best to bet on India vs New Zealand (2nd ODI)?
A: Choose an app with fast updates, secure payments and live markets. Look for features like in-play cash out, competitive cricket markets, and 24/7 support. (Search for “best cricket betting app” and compare author reviews and user ratings.)

Q4: How to get an online cricket ID for betting?
A: Sign up with a licensed betting platform. You’ll need ID verification. Fairbet7 offers quick online cricket ID activation, secure payments and 24/7 support (see CTA below).

Q5: Is live betting available for this match?
A: Yes. Most major cricket betting apps and exchanges will offer live markets (match winner, player props, over/under). Watch the first 10 overs before placing larger live bets.

Q6: Where to watch India vs New Zealand 2nd ODI live streaming in India?
A: Streaming rights vary. In recent domestic listings, services like JioCinema / Hotstar and official broadcasters carry ODI matches. Check your local provider before the match.

Betting Strategy Examples

Short, concrete examples to use in different risk profiles.

Conservative player — Small bankroll

• Bet 50% on India match-winner pre-match.
• Bet 25% on Kohli top-4.
• Keep 25% for live small hedge if early wickets fall.

Balanced player — Medium bankroll

• Bet 40% on India match-winner.
• Bet 20% on Kohli top-batter.
• Bet 20% on Siraj top-bowler.
• Bet 20% on Over/Under team total (choose after viewing pitch and toss).

High-risk player — High reward

• Parlay: Kohli top-batter + India match-winner + Kuldeep top-bowler. Small stake only.
• Specific over bets like “over 60 runs in overs 11–20” if pitch looks flat.

Reminder: Odds change quickly during live cricket betting. Monitor markets and use cash-out when available.

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Responsible Betting — Smart Habits

• Only bet what you can afford to lose.
• Set deposit limits on your cricket betting app.
• Don’t chase losses.
• Use small stakes for risky markets.
• Fairbet7 (and reputable platforms) provide tools: deposit limits, cool-off, self-exclusion.

18+ / Play Responsibly

CTA — Get Your Online Cricket ID

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• Quick ID activation: Fast KYC and secure login.
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Start by creating your online cricket ID. Then fund a small test bet. Practice responsible betting. Use the tips above for your first match.

Quick Pre-Match Checklist

1. Check final playing XIs after toss.
2. Confirm weather and dew forecast.
3. Set your fantasy captain and vice-captain (Kohli/Gill recommended).
4. Decide pre-match stake and live-bet reserve.
5. Monitor top-bowler market in the first 6 overs.
6. Use cash-out if trades go against you and cash-out value is fair.

Final Prediction

• Pre-match prediction: India to win (home advantage, strong batting and recent form).
• Likely match pattern: High first-innings score or a chase with dew advantage. Expect the match to be decided in the final 10 overs.
• Fantasy captain pick: Virat Kohli or Shubman Gill.
• Top bowler pick: Mohammed Siraj or Trent Boult depending on XI.

Closing Notes — Trust, Data & Responsibility

This preview combines recent match news, venue trends, and betting logic. Key factual points — match date & venue, Sundar injury and replacement, India’s form and Kohli’s recent scores — are based on official match centres and reputable sports outlets. Use them to inform bets and fantasy teams. Check toss and final XIs before locking major stakes.

Good luck. Bet smart. Play responsibly. 18+.