Fans react as India’s top order crumbles, losing four wickets cheaply against New Zealand in 2nd ODI at Rajkot

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In a stunning turn of events at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot, the second ODI of the New Zealand tour of India on Wednesday, saw a dramatic top-order collapse that left the home crowd in a state of disbelief. After securing a narrow victory in the series opener at Vadodara, India entered this day-night clash with the aim of clinching the series. However, the visitors had different plans, dismantling the world-renowned Indian batting engine with disciplined, high-quality pace and spin.

New Zealand captain Michael Bracewell made a bold decision to field first, a move that initially seemed questionable as India’s openers, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, navigated the first 10 overs with relative ease. The pair brought up the 50-run mark in just 8.4 overs, playing some exquisite drives that signalled another high-scoring day in Rajkot.

The tide turned in the 13th over when Kristian Clarke induced a rare error from Rohit. The Hitman, looking to clear mid-off, sliced a cross-seam delivery to Will Young at sweeper cover, departing for 24. While captain Gill continued his fine form to reach a fluent 56 off 53 balls, his dismissal in the 17th over by Kyle Jamieson triggered the real panic. India went from a comfortable 99/1 to a precarious 118/4 in just under seven overs.

The biggest blow to the Indian camp was the departure of Virat Kohli. Having recently surpassed Kumar Sangakkara to become the second-highest run-scorer in international history, Kohli looked set to anchor the innings. Instead, he was stunned by a slower delivery from Clarke, dragging the ball onto his stumps for 23. Shortly before, Shreyas Iyer fell for 8, chipping a catch to Bracewell, leaving the middle order exposed and the run rate plummeting.

The reaction on social media and in the stands was one of collective anxiety. Fans, who had expected the Rajkot surface to be a “flat track” paradise, watched in silence as the boundaries dried up. Following the flurry of wickets, India went through a grueling period of 63 balls without a single boundary, highlighting the stranglehold New Zealand’s bowlers—particularly Jayden Lennox and Bracewell—had over the game.

By the 30th over, India stood at 142/4, with KL Rahul (13*) and Ravindra Jadeja (11*) attempting to piece together a shattered innings. The scorecard told a tale of two halves:

The absence of Washington Sundar (ruled out due to a rib injury) meant Nitish Kumar Reddy was drafted in, but the burden fell squarely on the shoulders of Rahul and Jadeja. For New Zealand, Clarke emerged as the hero of the afternoon, boasting figures of 3/37 in 6 overs. As the match moves into the final twenty overs, India face a massive uphill battle to post a total that can challenge the disciplined Black Caps.

Also READ: Virat Kohli replaces Rohit Sharma as the No. 1 ODI batter; Travis Head makes big leap in ICC Test rankings

No hundred for Virat Kohli today 💔💔#ViratKohli #ViratKohli𓃵 #INDvNZ

— Saabir Zafar (@Saabir_Saabu01) January 14, 2026

What a Coincidence 😳😭

It reminds me 19th november

-Rohit sharma with same shot got out-Shubman Gill with same shot got out-Virat Kohli with same shot got out.

Dejavu 😭💔#IndvNZ #IndvsNZ

— 🤍 (@diva_0387) January 14, 2026

#INDvNZ Situation is similar to 2023 world cup final (4 wickets down) and there is a lot of talk that the team has changed their intent especially KL Rahul. But in useless bilateral also KL Rahul and Jadeja are afraid to play their shots. Let's see where they finish today.

— Subrato (@subrato312) January 14, 2026

19 november madness all over 🥀#INDvNZ

— Shreya.♥️ (@Here4VK18) January 14, 2026

bro what is this match evengiving me nightmares already of 23 WC Final💀

> awesome start then rohit getting caught after lofting a shot over covers> gill falls to a pull> kohli looks good but chops on> klr & jadeja zeherball > all rounder injured and replaced#INDvNZ

— Aish (@AishIdiot) January 14, 2026

"Kuch nahi bhai mid overs main Jadeja aur KL ki batting dekh rha hoon😶😶#INDvNZ

— खटाना भाई (@CricwormAnna) January 14, 2026

#IndvNZThe lack of ability to play sweeps and reverse sweeps from Indian top order really hurting their ability to score. And to top that the degrade in ability to score off spinners. Its really out there. The NZ spin bowling had been smart and sustained! @bhogleharsha

— CitizenKunal (@kun8l) January 14, 2026

Kohli’s streak of 50+ scores has ended 😐#INDvNZ #ViratKohli

— Muhammad Yasir (@MuhammadYa85859) January 14, 2026

63 balls between two consecutive boundaries for India!

16.4 FOUR by Shubman Gill27.1 FOUR by KL Rahul

Out of these 62 no-boundary deliveries,

Virat Kohli played 18Shreyas Iyer played 17Jadeja played 14Rahul played 12Gill played 1#INDvNZ #ShubmanGill #ViratKohli

— CricTrend (@CricTrend_CT) January 14, 2026

Virat Kohli's fans after his dismissal #INDvNZ #ODIs

— Sarcasm (@sarcastic_us) January 14, 2026

India Deep trouble 🥲 #INDvNZ https://t.co/gWO1IbRUvk

— premnath pk 😍♥️🦋🌹💜🍫 (@PremnathPk) January 14, 2026

Also READ: IND vs NZ: Who replaces injured Washington Sundar? Here is India’s playing XI for the Rajkot ODI