The rain got showed some mercy as the second ODI between India and New Zealand in Hamilton finally got underway at Seddon Park on Sunday (November 27). Owing to persistent rain, the match got reduced to 29-overs-a-side.
India were 22 for no loss in 4.5 overs against New Zealand when rain stopped play at Seddon Park. Shubhman Gill was batting on 19 and giving him company was skipper Shikhar Dhawan (2) when skies opened up.
New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson invited India to bat after winning the toss. Trailing the three-match series 0-1, it's a must-win game for India.
India have left out Sanju Samson and Shardul Thakur to include Deepak Hooda and Deepak Chahar in the playing XI.
New Zealand have replaced Adam Milne with Michael Bracewell.
The hosts are leading the series 1-0 after winning the Auckland game by seven wickets.
“We would have bowled first as there's moisture in the wicket. Even in the last game the wicket was seaming for the first 10-15 overs, we got to keep the positive intent and go for the runs. We got 2 changes. Instead of Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar comes in and Deepak Hooda comes in place of Sanju Samson. We only need 10 percent of improvement and it makes a huge impact and especially in the death bowling, we got to be a bit more smarter,” India skipper said before the match.
Meanwhile New Zealand captain Kane Williamson said," We are gonna have a bowl. Surface has been under covers a little, so hopefully our seamers can extract whatever little help they can get. We are playing the extra slow option today in Michael Bracewell in place of Adam Milne. He (Southee) is racking up the numbers in all formats and breaking a few records along the way, great achievement and a very special player for us. India batted well and got a competitive total on that surface, but I certainly liked the intent from the bowling attack, so hopefully we can start strong again and build on from the last performance."
India's playing XI: Shikhar Dhawan (C), Shubhman Gill, Rishabh Pant (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Washington Sundar, Deepak Chahar, Umran Malik, Arshdeep Singh and Yuzvendra Chahal.
New Zealand's playing XI: Kane Williamson (C), Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Michael Bracewell, Matt Henry, Tim Southee and Lockie Ferguson.
