IND vs NZ (AP Photo)
The visitors bowled out the hosts for 185 before completing the chase of a revised 143-run target. Virat Kohli played a key role with an important 74-run knock, helping India take a 1-0 lead. The short square boundaries, measuring around 60 metres, could also help batters score quickly.
However, rain could become a major concern and potentially disrupt the contest. India head into the match with confidence after beating New Zealand by five wickets in the first ODI in Auckland. The Wellington pitch generally offers early assistance to fast bowlers, especially those who maintain good line and length. However, batting conditions tend to improve as the game progresses, with the surface providing consistent bounce.
India will aim to strengthen its lead in the five-match ODI series when it takes on New Zealand in the second match on Saturday at Hnry Stadium in Wellington.
The team will hope to repeat its previous success in Wellington, where it chased down 199 runs against New Zealand in just 13.2 overs during the third T20I. The second ODI is facing a serious weather threat, with forecasts indicating a 60 per cent chance of rain during the day and 55 per cent at night. Heavy cloud cover of around 99 per cent is expected over the stadium, according to AccuWeather. Temperatures could reach 19°C during the day before dropping to around 17°C in the evening and 12°C at night.
Meanwhile, the hosts will be eager to bounce back and level the series. Rain is also expected around the scheduled start time, making even a shortened match uncertain. Dew could become another important factor in this day-night match. Evening moisture can make the ball difficult to grip, reducing the effectiveness of spinners and giving the team batting second an advantage.