India batter KL Rahul won hearts with a heartwarming gesture after the second ODI against New Zealand in Wellington, gifting his Game Changer of the Match award smartphone to an official following India’s four-run victory
The official was visibly surprised by Rahul’s gesture and expressed her gratitude in a video shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). She said she had not expected the Indian batter to give her the phone.
“Well, he just gave me his phone. I am a bit shocked. It was very kind of him to give it to me. I wasn’t expecting it, that’s for sure,” she said.
The BCCI also praised Rahul’s gesture through a post on X, highlighting the batter’s kindness with the caption, “Big player. Bigger heart. An act of kindness and pure Klass.”
India beat New Zealand in rain-affected 2nd ODI
The gesture came after India secured a four-run victory over New Zealand via the DLS method in a rain-affected second ODI in Wellington. The win gave the visitors a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
India’s bowlers delivered an impressive performance after the hosts elected to bat, with Gurnoor Brar leading the attack. The pacer registered career-best figures of 4/30 as New Zealand were bowled out for 134 in 41 overs.
Daryl Mitchell was the top scorer for New Zealand with 55 runs, while Auqib Nabi and Anshul Kamboj picked up two wickets each.
In reply, India faced early trouble and were reduced to 47/4 before Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul steadied the innings. Iyer scored 30, while Rahul remained unbeaten on 26.
New Zealand fought back to reduce India to 113/7. However, rain brought the contest to an end with India four runs ahead of the DLS par score, handing the visitors the victory. Brar was named Player of the Match for his match-winning spell.
India aim to seal ODI series in Hamilton
India will next face New Zealand in the third ODI in Hamilton on November 10. With a 2-0 lead in the series, the visitors will look to secure another victory and take an unassailable advantage. New Zealand, meanwhile, will aim to bounce back and keep the five-match series alive.
