Cricket

Rain disrupts preparations as India and New Zealand eye second ODI in Wellington

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Nov 6, 2026, 11:06 IST

Persistent rain in Wellington has forced both India and New Zealand to abandon outdoor training ahead of the second ODI, while India weighs a potential selection change involving Mohammed Siraj.

Rain disrupts preparations as India and New Zealand eye second ODI in Wellington

Persistent rain in Wellington has disrupted preparations for the second ODI between New Zealand and India, with both sides forced to alter their training plans on the eve of the match. The inclement weather compelled the hosts to move their practice session to an indoor facility located opposite the Basin Reserve, while the Indian touring party opted to remain at their hotel entirely.

The tight turnaround between the opening fixture in Auckland and the upcoming clash in Wellington has left little room for adjustment. With both teams having traveled on November 5, the lack of outdoor training time adds a layer of uncertainty for players looking to acclimatize to the specific conditions of the Basin Reserve, which differ significantly from the venues used earlier in the series.

Tactical adjustments and selection dilemmas

New Zealand fast bowler Blair Tickner acknowledged the challenges posed by the condensed schedule, noting that the team is carefully managing workloads as players transition between formats. Despite the logistical hurdles, Tickner emphasized that the hosts remain focused on an aggressive approach. He stated that the team's primary objective is to take early wickets and bowl the opposition out rather than adopting a defensive mindset, a strategy they hope will yield better results than in previous encounters.

For India, the focus remains on finalizing their bowling attack. The arrival of Mohammed Siraj, who has joined the squad following his commitments with India A, has created a selection dilemma for the team management. Fielding coach Subhadeep Ghosh confirmed that Siraj is available for selection but stopped short of revealing whether he would be drafted into the playing eleven. The primary question facing the visitors is whether to retain Auqib Nabi or make room for the experienced Siraj.

With a forecast predicting further rain on match day, both teams face the prospect of another weather-affected encounter. As the series progresses, the ability to adapt quickly to changing conditions and ground dimensions will be critical for both sides as they look to gain an advantage in the five-match series.