India achieved a decisive victory against New Zealand during their second T20 match which took place in Raipur as part of a five-match series. The team achieved victory by seven wickets after they successfully chased down a 209-run target within 15.2 overs.India now leads the series with a 2-0 advantage after this victory.
Strong Chase After Early Setback
- India encountered difficulties during their initial attempt to chase the target. The opening batsmen Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma got out during the opening two overs. Samson scored 6 runs before he lost his wicket to Henry who bowled to Rachin Ravindra. Abhishek Sharma experienced a duck when Conway caught him off Duffy's delivery.
- India managed to establish control of the match after losing early wickets when Ishan Kishan teamed up with captain Suryakumar Yadav. Ishan played an aggressive batting performance from the number three position. He scored 76 runs from 32 balls which included 11 fours and four sixes. He achieved his half-century within a record time of 21 balls.
- Suryakumar Yadav provided excellent support while he served as the main batsman for the team. He achieved an unbeaten score of 82 runs which he completed in 37 balls. His innings included nine fours and four sixes. This marks his first T20 half-century since 468 days ago.
- Ishan received his dismissal after the team score reached 128. He got caught by Henry who played his first ball after he bowled from Sodhi's delivery. Suryakumar and Shivam Dube maintained their batting partnership without facing additional obstacles.
Finishing Touch by Dube
Shivam Dube scored fast runs during the final moments of the batting. He achieved a score of 36 not out from 18 balls which included one four and three sixes. India successfully completed their target with over four overs remaining. New Zealand bowlers Henry Duffy and Sodhi all took one wicket during the match.
New Zealand's Competitive Total
- New Zealand batted first after they lost the toss. The team scored 208 runs for six wickets in 20 overs. Openers Seifert and Conway started aggressively but were dismissed in the fourth and fifth overs.
- Rachin Ravindra scored 44 runs and looked steady before Kuldeep Yadav dismissed him. Mitchell Santner remained unbeaten on 47. Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, and Chapman made brief contributions.
- Among the Indian bowlers, Kuldeep Yadav took two wickets. Hardik Pandya, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy, and Shivam Dube took one wicket each.
Notable Moment in the Chase
During the fifth over of India’s innings, Ishan Kishan played a powerful shot off Santner. His bat slipped from his hand and flew towards square leg. No run was scored on that delivery. Ishan then hit four runs off each of the next three balls.
Series Update
With this win, India has taken a 2–0 lead in the five-match T20 series. The third match will be played in Guwahati on Sunday.
