In the second T20I match against New Zealand, Team India skipper Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and elected to bowl first at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Raipur.
After winning the toss, the hosts` skipper Suryakumar said, “We’re opting to bowl first since there’s noticeable dew already, and chasing will give us a good test. The surface looks solid—same as the ODI wicket—and it should offer plenty of runs again. From the last win, our focus remains the same: keep improving in all three departments without assuming perfection. Repeating our processes in bowling, fielding, and batting is what we value the most as a group. We’ve made two changes: Axar sits out after being hit in the previous match, and Bumrah is being rested. Harshit and Kuldeep come into the XI to strengthen our options for this game”.
On the other hand, New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner said, “We would’ve bowled first as well, considering how wet the outfield already was with early dew. Facing a strong side always teaches you something, and India’s aggressive batting gave us plenty to reflect on. They kept attacking right through their innings, which means we need sharper plans and tighter execution. As a bowling group, squeezing them for longer phases is something we must improve quickly. We’ve made three changes today: Seifert replaces Robinson, Foulkes comes in for Clarke, and Henry slots in for Jamieson. Hopefully, these adjustments help us respond better to the challenge tonight”.
Currently, the “Men in Blue” are leading the five-match T20I series by 1-0. The “Black Caps” will be eager to secure a win and make the series more interesting.
Later, both teams will engage in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
IND vs NZ 2nd T20I: Confirmed Playing XI
India: Sanju Samson (WK), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy.
New Zealand: Devon Conway (WK), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (C), Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy, Zakary Foulkes.
