KL Rahul gives 'Game Changer' smartphone to Hnry Stadium staff member after Wellington ODI

KL Rahul gifted the smartphone he won as the 'Game Changer of the Match' to a female member of the Hnry Stadium staff after India's second ODI against New Zealand in Wellington on November 7. The handover came following the rain-affected match that India ultimately won.

The gesture provided a warm moment at the end of an otherwise tense afternoon for India, with Rahul credited for steadiness in the chase as wickets tumbled around him. New Zealand had been dismissed for 134, with Gurnoor Brar claiming four wickets, leaving India to chase a modest target under pressure.

The BCCI shared the moment on social media, posting: "Big player. Bigger heart An act of kindness and pure #TeamIndia | #NZvIND | @klrahul https://t.co/BgT005WZlp— BCCI (@BCCI) November 8, 2026"

India's batting lineup struggled through the innings; Shubman Gill was out for a golden duck, Virat Kohli scored seven, and Rohit Sharma made 23 as the top order faltered. The collective failure at the top put added strain on the middle and lower order to chase down the target.

Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul put together a 46-run partnership for the fifth wicket as they tried to rebuild the innings. Iyer finished on 30 and Rahul remained unbeaten on 26 as India reached 113/7 in 26 overs before play was halted.

Rain stopped the match with India needing 22 runs to win, but the visitors were four runs ahead of the DLS par score when play was abandoned, resulting in a four-run victory. The result gave India a 2-0 lead in the series.

Despite the victory, the batting collapse will be a concern for India heading into the next game; the bowlers had set up a strong position but the top order's failure and the lower order's inability to complete the chase meant rain ultimately decided the outcome. The third ODI is scheduled for Hamilton on November 10, where India can seal the series but will seek a more convincing batting performance after making heavy work of the target.