"I Am A Bit Shocked": KL Rahul Gives Away 'Gamechanger' Award, A Smartphone, To Official After 2nd India vs New Zealand ODI

Star India batter KL Rahul won hearts with a thoughtful gesture after gifting his Game Changer of the Match award smartphone to an official following the second ODI against New Zealand in Wellington. The official expressed surprise and gratitude after receiving the phone from Rahul, saying she had not expected the gesture. "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 in a video shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The BCCI also praised Rahul's act of kindness in a post on X, writing: "Big player. Bigger heart. An act of kindness and pure 𝙆𝙇𝙖𝙨𝙨."

Big player. Bigger heart 💙 🎥 An act of kindness and pure 𝙆𝙇𝙖𝙨𝙨 🙌 #TeamIndia | #NZvIND | @klrahul https://t.co/BgT005WZlp

— BCCI (@BCCI) November 8, 2026

India defeated New Zealand by four runs via the DLS method in the rain-curtailed second ODI in Wellington on Saturday to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

Gurnoor Brar starred with career-best figures of 4/30 as India bowled New Zealand out for 134 in 41 overs.

Daryl Mitchell top-scored with 55, while Auqib Nabi and Anshul Kamboj claimed two wickets each.

Chasing 135, India slipped to 47/4 before Shreyas Iyer (30) and KL Rahul (26 not out) helped steady the innings.

New Zealand fought back to reduce India to 113/7, but rain halted play with the visitors four runs ahead of the DLS par score, sealing the victory.

Brar was named Player of the Match for his match-winning four-wicket haul that dismantled New Zealand's batting line-up.

The third ODI between India and New Zealand will be played in Hamilton on November 10. While the Black Caps will be looking to keep the series alive, India will aim to extend their advantage and seal the series with another win.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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