2007 T20 World Cup winner backs India to retain winning combination for 2nd NZ vs IND 2026 ODI

Former India all-rounder and 2007 T20 World Cup winner Irfan Pathan has backed the Men in Blue to retain the winning combination for the second ODI against New Zealand. Pathan stated that the combination, with extra batting cushion, worked well in the first ODI and hence there is no reason to change it.

India beat New Zealand by five wickets at the Eden Park in Auckland on Wednesday, November 4 in the first ODI of the five-match series. Bowling first, India bowled out New Zealand for 185 in 40.2 overs. Chasing a revised target of 143 in 32 overs, the Men in Blue got home in 22.4 overs.

During a discussion on Cricinfo, Pathan backed Team India to go in unchanged in the second ODI against New Zealand in Wellington on Saturday. He said:

"I think they should play the same XI. In Wellington, you get a bit more purchase as far as bowlers are concerned. Ground dimension is slightly different as well. You have much more in it. And plus, Nitish Kumar Reddy is not there. So, an all-rounder is not there.

"These two guys who were playing in the first game, Aaqib Nabi and Anshul Kamboj, they bat. So, you need that extra cushion as far as the batting is concerned, 8 and 9. If one of them is not playing, that means the batting will finish at 8. So, I really think, with the kind of game they won in the first game, they should back these guys and follow it through," Pathan added.

Kamboj was named Player of the Match for his figures of 2‑22 from 10 overs, which included two maidens.

Bowlers, Kohli set up India's win in Auckland

India came up with a relatively clinical display to get the better of the Black Caps in the first ODI in Auckland. While Kamboj dismissed Mitchell Santner and Nathan Smith, Arshdeep Singh picked up four wickets even though he was a bit expensive. Also, young pacer Gurnoor Brar impressed with 3‑44 from 9.2 overs.

In the chase, India lost Rohit Sharma for a duck. However, Virat Kohli guided them towards victory with a fluent 74 off 51 balls, even as skipper Shubman Gill chipped in with 37 off 56 balls.

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