India vs New Zealand, 2nd T20I Preview: Buoyant Men in Blue eye 2-0 lead in Raipur
India defeated Australia by 20 runs in the only T20I that they have played at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur in December 2023.
22 January, 2026
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After securing a commanding victory in the first T20I, the Indian cricket team will seek to preserve its winning momentum when they square off against New Zealand in the second T20I of the ongoing five-match series at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur on Friday, January 23.
Led by captain Suryakumar Yadav, India commenced their T20 World Cup 2026 preparations in style after beating New Zealand by 48 runs at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur on Wednesday.
Put in to bat, India’s flamboyant opening batter Abhishek Sharma took the Kiwi bowlers to the cleaners as he slammed a blitzkrieg 35-ball 84, laced with five fours and eight maximums. Apart from Abhishek’s swashbuckling knock, India rode on crucial contributions from Rinku Singh (44 not out), skipper Suryakumar (32) and Hardik Pandya (25) to post a mammoth score of 238/7 in their 20 overs.
Later, star spinner Varun Chakaravarthy and all-rounder Shivam Dube picked up two wickets each to help India restrict the Black Caps to 190/7 in their allotted overs to register a comprehensive 48-run win.
Meanwhile, Gujarat Titans’ Glenn Phillips was the star performer with the bat for the visitors. The accomplished all-rounder kept the Kiwis in the run-chase with a valiant 40-ball 78.
Having claimed a 1-0 lead in the ongoing five-match series, Suryakumar and his men will be aiming to extend their series lead in Raipur.
Talking about the upcoming venue, India previously defeated Australia by 20 runs in the only T20I that they have played at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur in December 2023.
Players to watch out for
Abhishek Sharma: India’s hard-hitting opening batter Abhishek Sharma hogged the spotlight with a match-winning knock in the first T20I in Nagpur. The 25-year-old hammered the Kiwi bowlers to all parts of the ground as he slammed 84 off just 35 balls. Following his match-defining knock, Abhishek was later adjudged the Player of the Match. He will look to continue his scintillating form in the second T20I in Raipur.
Varun Chakaravarthy: World No.1 T20I bowler Varun Chakaravarthy troubled the New Zealand batters in the series opener on Wednesday. The experienced leg-spinner bagged the huge wickets of Tim Robinson and Mark Chapman to guide India to a comfortable victory in Nagpur. Varun could once again play a pivotal role for the hosts in the upcoming second T20I.
India vs New Zealand T20 head-to-head
India holds a superior head-to-head record against New Zealand in T20 international cricket. The Men in Blue have won 13 of the 26 matches that they have played against each other. The Black Caps have registered 10 victories, while three games have been tied.
New Zealand’s T20I squad: Mitchell Santner (captain), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway (wicket-keeper), Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Bevon Jacobs, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Robinson, Ish Sodhi
Upcoming Milestones to keep an eye on
Titan Glenn Phillips is 3 sixes away from 100 sixes in T20Is.
Phillips is 4 catches away from 150 catches in T20s.
Hardik Pandya needs 5 sixes to complete 200 sixes in international cricket.
Rinku Singh is 59 runs away from 3,500 runs in T20s.
Where to watch India vs New Zealand 2nd T20I live
The India vs New Zealand 2nd T20I will be telecast live on the Star Sports Network’s TV channels.
Live streaming of the IND vs NZ 2nd T20I will be available on the JioHotstar app and website.
