India Dominate Kiwi Bowling in 2nd T20I, Poised for Victory

In an electrifying performance during the second T20I match against New Zealand, India showcased their dominance in the chase. Playing at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Raipur on January 23, 2026, India set their sights on a target of 209 runs. New Zealand had posted a formidable total, ending their innings at 208 for 6.

New Zealand’s Strong Innings

New Zealand’s innings was anchored by impactful contributions from Devon Conway, who scored 19 runs off 9 balls, and Rachin Ravindra, contributing 44 runs from 26 balls. Mitchell Santner added 47 runs, while Zakary Foulkes provided a late flourish with a strong finish that included hitting a six to cap the innings. Hardik Pandya and Harshit Rana managed to secure a wicket each for India, while Kuldeep Yadav created significant impact by taking out key batsmen as well.

India’s Chase: An Aggressive Start

Facing an uphill task, India began their innings aggressively. After two quick early wickets, Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav turned the momentum. Kishan blazed his way to a half-century off just 21 balls, featuring 9 fours and 2 sixes, while Yadav followed suit, quickly amassing runs. Their partnership was key in stabilizing India’s innings after two early dismissals, deteriorating the New Zealand bowling attack’s confidence.

Standout Performances

• Ishan Kishan: 76 runs off 32 balls, including 11 fours and 4 sixes.
• Suryakumar Yadav: Accelerated with a blistering half-century in 23 balls, making 70 runs overall.
• Shivam Dube: Continued the onslaught with a rapid scoring rate, helping India chase down the target seamlessly.

Key Moments in India’s Chase

India’s chase was characterized by explosive batting. Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav shared a 100-run partnership, pushing the score to 107 for 2 by the end of the eighth over. Kishan’s early onslaught established a solid foundation, while Yadav’s aggressive intent added pressure on the Kiwis. Midway through their innings, the duo’s partnership not only set a thrilling pace but also left the bowlers struggling to contain runs.

The standout moment of the match was when Yadav and Dube’s partnership accelerated India’s runs dramatically, leading to a score of 196 for 3 in just 14.1 overs. They collectively hit a series of sixes that showcased their intent to dominate the bowlers.

Conclusion

India’s commanding performance in the second T20I against New Zealand highlights their strength in limited-overs cricket. Securing their victory with style, they not only successfully chased down the target but did so with over five overs remaining, marking a notable win in the series. The match stands as a testament to India’s batting prowess and their ability to respond well under pressure.