The 2nd ODI between India and New Zealand takes place today, January 14, 2026, at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot. India leads the series 1-0 after a 4-wicket win in Vadodara, where Virat Kohli (93) and Shubman Gill (50+) were the standout performers.
The Rajkot pitch is historically a flat batting beauty, so expect high scores. Here are 5 balanced Dream11 team combinations for different contest types.
Match Details
- Venue: Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot
- Time: 1:30 PM IST
- Pitch: High-scoring ground. Small boundaries and a quick outfield favor batters. Spinners may get some grip in the second innings.
Team 1: The "Safe & Consistent" (Best for Small Leagues/H2H)
Focuses on the most reliable run-scorers and strike bowlers from both sides.
- WK: KL Rahul, Devon Conway
- BAT: Virat Kohli (C), Rohit Sharma, Daryl Mitchell (VC), Shubman Gill
- ALL: Ravindra Jadeja, Michael Bracewell
- BOWL: Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Kyle Jamieson
Team 2: India Dominance (Top-Order Heavy)
Designed for a scenario where India bats first and posts a massive total.
- WK: KL Rahul
- BAT: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer
- ALL: Ravindra Jadeja, Michael Bracewell, Glenn Phillips
- BOWL: Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana
Team 3: The Kiwi Fightback (Balanced)
For a scenario where NZ's experienced middle order and Jamieson’s height trouble the hosts.
- WK: Devon Conway (C)
- BAT: Virat Kohli, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Shubman Gill
- ALL: Michael Bracewell, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Glenn Phillips
- BOWL: Kyle Jamieson (VC), Zak Foulkes, Kuldeep Yadav
Team 4: Grand League (Risky/Differential)
Focuses on "differentials" like Shreyas Iyer and Glenn Phillips who are often overlooked for captaincy.
- WK: KL Rahul
- BAT: Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer (C), Will Young, Daryl Mitchell
- ALL: Ravindra Jadeja, Glenn Phillips (VC), Michael Bracewell
- BOWL: Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Adithya Ashok
Team 5: Bowlers' Day (Alternative Strategy)
If the pitch has unexpected moisture or the pacers find early movement.
- WK: Devon Conway, KL Rahul
- BAT: Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill
- ALL: Ravindra Jadeja
- BOWL: Mohammed Siraj (C), Kyle Jamieson (VC), Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Zak Foulkes
Key Players to Watch
- Virat Kohli: Looked in sublime touch in the 1st ODI; Rajkot is one of his favorite hunting grounds.
- Kyle Jamieson: Took 4 wickets in the previous match and remains the biggest threat to India's top order.
- Rohit Sharma: Due for a big one on a flat track.
- Daryl Mitchell: The most consistent New Zealand batter against spin.
Pro Tip: Watch the toss closely. If India bowls first, Kuldeep Yadav becomes a lethal captaincy pick for the second innings when the scoreboard pressure is on the Kiwis.
