New Delhi: India defeated New Zealand by seven wickets to win the second T20 international at Auckland and take a handy 2-0 lead in the series. The Indian win came at the back of a disciplined bowling effort and a stellar batting performance by KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer.

Set a below par target of 133 to win, the Indians dint have the best possible start as they lost opener Rohit Sharma early to Tim Southee for 8. Skipper Virat Kohli did not last long either as he fell cheaply for 11 to Tim Southee . KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer then combined well to stitch a handy partnership and steady the Indian innings. The stars with the bat in the last match once again delivered with the willow bringing up

Earlier batting first, New Zealand registered a below par 132-5 run total against India in the second T2O international being played at the Eden Park at Auckland. After the hosts lost in-form openers Martin Guptill and Colin Munro, the Kiwis innings could never get going as the Indians chipped in with regular wickets.

While Guptill provided the opening impetus with a fiery 33 run knock, Munro could not produce the same impact as he struggled with a run-a-ball 26 before holing one up to Shivam Dube.

Skipper Kane Williamson and all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme could not chip in much with the bat as they both felt cheaply to off-spinner Ravindra Jadeja.

While Ross Taylor struggled to step up the scoring rate, Wicket-keeper batsman Tim Seifert provided the late flourish with some boundaries but it still was a poor effort by the Kiwis on a batting beauty at Auckland. Ravindra Jadeja was the most successful bowler from the Indian team, picking up two wickets in a 18-run economical spell.