Ind vs nz 2nd t20i highlights: India delivered one of their most emphatic T20I performances in recent memory as they stormed to a seven-wicket victory over New Zealand in the second T20 international at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur. The match, which was expected to be a high-pressure contest given New Zealand’s formidable total, turned into a showcase of fearless batting, intelligent leadership, and ruthless intent from the Indian side.
The Ind vs nz 2nd t20i highlights were headlined by a breathtaking unbeaten knock from Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav, who smashed 82 not out from just 37 balls, and a scintillating innings from Ishan Kishan, who blazed his way to 76 off 32 deliveries. Together, they dismantled New Zealand’s bowling attack and ensured India chased down a daunting target of 209 with remarkable ease, reaching 209 for 3 in only 15.2 overs.
This victory not only gave India a 2–0 lead in the five-match T20I series but also sent a strong message about their depth, confidence, and adaptability ahead of future international assignments.
Match overview: A run-fest in Raipur
| Match | India vs New Zealand, 2nd T20I |
|---|---|
| Venue | Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur |
| Toss | India won the toss and chose to field |
| New Zealand | 208/6 (20 overs) |
| India | 209/3 (15.2 overs) |
| Result | India won by 7 wickets |
| Series | India lead 2–0 |
From the moment Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and opted to field, it was clear that India were confident of chasing a big score on a surface expected to favour batters under lights.
Raipur pitch and weather conditions
Before the first ball was bowled, conditions in Raipur appeared ideal for a high-scoring encounter.
Weather report
According to AccuWeather, Raipur experienced bright sunshine during the day, with evening temperatures settling between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius. Humidity levels ranged from 35 to 44 percent, and there was no threat of rain, although light dew was expected later in the night.
Pitch report
The Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium had already shown its true nature earlier in the season. The surface offered good bounce, true carry, and minimal lateral movement, encouraging aggressive stroke play. While spinners could extract some grip, the overall conditions clearly favoured batters willing to attack.
Team changes and playing XIs
India made two notable changes ahead of the second T20I, signaling a blend of workload management and tactical adjustments.
India Playing XI
| Player |
|---|
| Abhishek Sharma |
| Sanju Samson |
| Ishan Kishan |
| Suryakumar Yadav (captain) |
| Shivam Dubey |
| Hardik Pandya |
| Rinku Singh |
| Harshit Rana |
| Kuldeep Yadav |
| Varun Chakravarthy |
| Arshdeep Singh |
Key changes:
- Jasprit Bumrah was rested
- Harshit Rana replaced Bumrah
- Kuldeep Yadav came in for the injured Axar Patel
New Zealand Playing XI
| Player |
|---|
| Tim Seifert |
| Devon Conway |
| Rachin Ravindra |
| Daryl Mitchell |
| Glenn Phillips |
| Mark Chapman |
| Mitchell Santner (captain) |
| Zak Foulkes |
| Matt Henry |
| Ish Sodhi |
| Jacob Duffy |
Innings Break!
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 23, 2026
2⃣ wickets for Kuldeep Yadav as #TeamIndia are set a target of 209 runs 🎯
The run chase is coming up ⌛
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/8G8p1tq1RC#TeamIndia | #INDvNZ | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/UnJQhDJKtN
New Zealand innings: Strong start, late surge
New Zealand got off to a flying start, led by aggressive intent from Devon Conway. The left-hander wasted no time putting pressure on India’s new-ball attack, taking Arshdeep Singh for 18 runs in his opening over with a mix of crisp boundaries and a towering six.
However, India responded well by striking early and keeping wickets in check through the middle overs.
Key New Zealand batting performances
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rachin Ravindra | 44 | 26 | 2 | 4 |
| Mitchell Santner* | 47 | 27 | 6 | 1 |
| Tim Seifert | 24 | 13 | 5 | 0 |
| Glenn Phillips | 19 | 13 | 2 | 1 |
| Devon Conway | 19 | 9 | 3 | 1 |
(*not out)
Rachin Ravindra provided stability in the middle overs with a fluent 44, while Mitchell Santner anchored the innings at the death, remaining unbeaten on 47 and guiding New Zealand past the 200-run mark in the final over.
India’s bowling effort: Key breakthroughs at crucial moments
While New Zealand posted an imposing total, India’s bowlers ensured the damage was controlled through timely wickets.
India bowling figures (top performers)
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kuldeep Yadav | 4 | — | 2 |
| Varun Chakravarthy | 4 | — | 1 |
| Hardik Pandya | 2 | — | 1 |
| Shivam Dubey | 1 | — | 1 |
Kuldeep Yadav emerged as India’s most effective bowler, removing key batters and slowing New Zealand’s momentum during the middle phase of the innings.
India’s chase: Early stumbles, total domination
Chasing 209 was never going to be easy, but India’s response was nothing short of extraordinary.
Early setbacks
India suffered two quick blows early in the innings:
- Abhishek Sharma was dismissed on the very first ball by Jacob Duffy
- Sanju Samson fell for 6, caught off Matt Henry
At 6 for 2, the match appeared finely poised.
Ishan Kishan’s explosive counterattack
Ishan Kishan immediately took control, launching a fearless counterattack that shifted momentum decisively in India’s favour.
Ishan Kishan innings at a glance
| Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 76 | 32 | 11 | 4 |
Kishan reached his half-century in just 21 balls, powering India to:
- 50 runs in 4.5 overs
- 100 runs in 7.5 overs
He eventually fell for 76, caught in Ish Sodhi’s over, but by then India were firmly in control at 128 for 3.
Suryakumar Yadav: Captain’s knock of supreme authority
If Kishan laid the foundation, Suryakumar Yadav delivered the finishing masterpiece.
Suryakumar Yadav innings
| Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 82* | 37 | 9 | 4 |
The Indian captain reached his half-century in just 23 balls, combining innovation with brute power. His ability to find gaps, improvise against spinners, and dominate fast bowlers left New Zealand searching for answers.
India crossed:
- 150 runs in 11.1 overs
- The winning target in just 15.2 overs
Shivam Dubey’s finishing touches
Shivam Dubey played a calm yet destructive supporting role, remaining unbeaten on 36 from 18 balls. His late assault ensured there were no hiccups as India cruised home with nearly five overs to spare.
Also read: Ind vs NZ 2nd T20I: Full Match Preview, Pitch Report, Weather Update, and Probable Playing XI
Why this win matters for India
The Ind vs nz 2nd t20i highlights underline several key positives for India:
- Exceptional depth in batting
- Fearless approach while chasing big totals
- Effective leadership from Suryakumar Yadav
- Bench strength tested and delivered
Winning a chase of over 200 runs with such authority boosts confidence and strengthens India’s position as one of the most formidable T20 sides in world cricket.
Series situation and what’s next
With this seven-wicket win, India now lead the five-match T20I series 2–0. The comprehensive nature of the victory puts New Zealand under immense pressure heading into the remaining matches.
India will look to maintain momentum, while New Zealand must regroup quickly to stay alive in the series.
Conclusion:
The second T20I in Raipur will be remembered as a night of dominance, intent, and fearless cricket from India. From Suryakumar Yadav’s masterclass to Ishan Kishan’s explosive brilliance, the match delivered everything fans expect from elite T20 cricket.
As the series progresses, one thing is clear: this Indian team is playing with confidence, clarity, and a hunger that makes them incredibly difficult to stop.
