Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot (Source:@ishanjoshii,x.com)
India will take on New Zealand in the second ODI of the three-match series at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot on Wednesday, January 14.
‘Men in Blue’ currently lead the series 1-0 after winning a thrilling first ODI at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara. Chasing a challenging target of 301 runs, the hosts held their nerve in a match that went down to the final overs.
However, KL Rahul showed great composure in the final moments. He played a calm and controlled innings, scoring an unbeaten 29 off 21 balls, guiding India to a four-wicket victory. Shreyas Iyer also played a valuable supporting role with 49 runs.
Earlier in the match, New Zealand posted a competitive total of 300/8. Daryl Mitchell played a counter-attacking innings, scoring 84 runs off 71 balls to anchor the visitors’ batting. Henry Nicholls and Devon Conway also contributed with half-centuries.
India’s bowlers, Harshit Rana and Mohammed Siraj, started with disciplined spells, but New Zealand managed to recover well in the middle overs to set a challenging target.
With India just one win away from sealing the series, the hosts will aim to maintain their winning momentum. In this article, let's take a look at the Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot pitch, and weather report.
Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot Pitch Report for IND vs NZ 2nd ODI
Criteria
Details
Matches played
4
Matches won by team batting first
4
Matches won by team bowling first
0
NR/Tied
0
Average score batting first
322
The Niranjan Shah Cricket Stadium in Rajkot, also known as the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, is widely regarded as a batting-friendly venue. The pitch here is flat and hard, which allows batters to play their shots freely.
Stroke-making becomes easier, especially in the first half of the match, and fans can expect a high-scoring contest between India and New Zealand in the second ODI.
Fast bowlers are unlikely to get much assistance from the surface. There is minimal swing or seam movement, which means pacers will need to rely heavily on variations such as slower balls, cutters, and changes in length to trouble the batters.
Spinners may have a slightly better role compared to pacers. As the game progresses, the pitch could offer some turn, especially in the middle overs. However, it is still not expected to be a turning track, and spinners will need to bowl with accuracy.
Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot Weather Report for IND vs NZ 2nd ODI
Criteria
Details
Temperature
28° (RealFeel 28°C)
Wind
N 11 km/h - 26 km/h
Probability of Precipitation
0%
Cloud Cover
0%
The weather conditions in Rajkot look perfect for a full game during the second ODI between India and New Zealand. According to AccuWeather.com, the temperature is expected to be around 28 degrees Celsius.
There is no forecast of rain or thunderstorms on match day, ensuring clear skies throughout the game. The wind is expected to blow gently from the north at around 11 km/h, with gusts possibly reaching up to 26 km/h at times.
Overall, the weather in Rajkot is set to be ideal for cricket. With clear skies, pleasant temperatures, and no rain threat, both teams can focus entirely on their performance.
Conclusion
Historically, teams batting first have enjoyed great success at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium. Four men's ODI matches have been played here so far, and all have been won by teams batting first. This may tempt the toss-winning team to bat first. However, given the flat nature of the surface, don't be surprised if the toss winner takes a bold call and opts to chase.
Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot (Source:@ishanjoshii,x.com).jpg)
