India defeated New Zealand by four runs via the DLS method in the second ODI of the five-match series at Hnry Stadium, Wellington, on November 7, 2026, moving 2-0 ahead in the series. Persistent rain forced the DLS method to be applied, and the match produced only 247 runs across both innings as 15 wickets fell on a difficult surface. New Zealand were bowled out for 134 in 41 overs, while India had reached 113 for 7 in 26 overs when the match was concluded.
The result added a painful statistical entry to New Zealand’s 2026 calendar year. Saturday’s defeat was their 11th loss against India across all formats in 2026, which stands as the most defeats any team has suffered against a single opponent in one calendar year across formats. The previous mark was set by New Zealand themselves, who went down ten times against Australia across all formats in 2005. England’s nine defeats against a single opponent in 2008 sit third on that unwanted list.
Most Defeats for New Zealand against an Opponent in a Calendar Year Across Formats:
11* vs India, 2026
10 vs Australia, 2005
9 vs England, 2008
New Zealand’s home ODI record against India also took a further blow. The last occasion on which New Zealand dropped a home ODI series to India was in January 2019, and the current 2-0 deficit means the hosts are facing back-to-back home ODI series losses to the same opponent for the first time since that series.
How did the match unfold at Hnry Stadium?
Rain repeatedly interrupted play at Wellington, making conditions difficult for both sides throughout the contest. Daryl Mitchell top-scored for New Zealand with 55, and Mitchell Santner contributed 31 lower in the order, yet the hosts could not build a total large enough to challenge India under the revised DLS target. New Zealand were eventually dismissed for 134 in 41 overs.
Rohit Sharma tops six-hitting list vs NZ in ODIs
Shreyas Iyer made 30 for India, and KL Rahul remained unbeaten on 26 as the visitors stayed ahead of the DLS par score. Gurnoor Brar was the standout bowler for India, claiming four wickets to keep New Zealand’s innings in check. Jacob Duffy and Kyle Jamieson each took three wickets for the home side, but those efforts could not prevent India from completing a four-run victory.
With India now 2-0 up in the five-match ODI series, New Zealand must win three of the remaining three matches to avoid a series defeat at home. Their home ODI record against India had been without a series loss since January 2019, and that run is now under serious threat as the series moves forward.
