🏏New Zealand vs India 2nd T20I in Raipur @7 PM IST🏏 - Page 3

After a one-sided opener in Nagpur, the series now moves to Raipur for the second T20I, with India firmly in the driver’s seat. The hosts continued their dominance in the shortest format, cruising to a 48-run victory to take a 1-0 lead. Abhishek Sharma’s blistering run of form showed no signs of slowing down as he smashed a breathtaking 35-ball 84. Valuable cameos from Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, and Rinku Singh powered India to a mammoth 238. New Zealand were never truly in the hunt during the chase; their only moment of resistance came when Glenn Phillips and Mark Chapman shared a brief stand in the middle. For New Zealand to stay alive in the series, they must find a way to rein in India’s explosive batting line-up - and that will require a collective step-up from their bowlers. Equally important will be handling India’s varied bowling attack, where every option has the ability to change the course of a game in a flash. A near-flawless display with both bat and ball is essential if they are to draw level. There is also a selection question for India. Axar Patel left the field in the previous match after injuring his finger - will he be fit, or will Kuldeep Yadav get the nod? All will be revealed at the toss.

Rinku Singh made his return to playing XI

Rinky Singh only played one ball in the Asia Cup final and one match on the Australia tour before being dropped for the South Africa series. Rinku made his return against New Zealand and slammed an unbeaten 44 off just 20 balls to take India to a big total.

India vs New Zealand Live: Rinku Singh - the surprise package

Rinky Singh turned out to be the surprise package in the first T20I. The left-handed batsman hadn't played a memorable knock for the past many matches. Once he got a chance, Rinku showcased his finishing skills and he is now set to keep his spot in the final XI.

In the first game, India flexed their batting muscles to register a comprehensive win. But as we saw in the ODIs, New Zealand are more than capable of coming back from behind. A win today will give the hosts a big lead in the five-game series, but New Zealand of late have been a thorn for India in their own backyard and will be looking to keep things on an even keel.

Selectors dropped vice-captain Shubman Gill

The Ajit Agarkar-headed selection committee dropped vice-captain Shubman Gill to keep Sanju Samson in the squad. Samson is confirmed to open the innings going ahead but he could get replaced by Ishan Kishan. Kishan will bat at number 3 until Tilak Varma comes back. Tilak is likely to make his comeback by the fourth game.

All eyes on Sanju Samson

Sanju Samson flopped in the first T20I and departed for 10. One can defend him by saying that he has only flopped in one match. But Samson has always lacked consistency. The selectors showed faith in Samson by keeping him in the WC squad on the basis of literally one good knock.

Recent Performance

Last five matches

IND L W A W W
NZ W W N R W

Abhishek-Gayle comparison

Like Gayle, he hits them without strain—natural, instinctive, seemingly effortless. As if he could clear the ropes blindfolded or moments after being woken from sleep. In mood—which he is most of the time—he finds a way. When bowlers cramp him, he creates room. When fast bowlers bounce him, he unfurls his horizontal-bat arsenal. Both are thrilling to watch, operating in Formula One mode, yet rarely resorting to low-percentage strokes. That was the secret to Gayle’s consistency—an average of 36.22 at a strike rate of 144.75. Abhishek averages 33 (a metric that matters only alongside a strong strike rate) at a staggering 171.65. Gayle finished with 22 T20 hundreds; Abhishek already has eight.

Arshdeep Singh on his role

“It doesn’t matter if I’m in or out, bowling with new ball or old, or which format. The point is to always be ready to come and bowl my part and get wickets for India. I’m glad it’s working right now,” he said.

Simon Doull on New Zealand batting

“I would leave Ravindra out of my side. It might sound silly, but it is his worst format, for me, and then New Zealand can actually stack that middle order. I don’t think they really know their right order. Thats why this series is a bit of a tester. I agree with Sunny, No 6 is way too low for a bloke who just got back-to-back hundreds. He should have been batting at three,” Doull added.

“I think New Zealand want Phillips, at number four, yeah, but I just don’t think they know their entire combination yet,” Doull said. “At the moment, T20 is probably Rachin Ravindra’s worst format with the bat. I think it should be Finn Allen, Tim Seifert, Daryl Mitchell, and then this man at number four, Glenn Phillips. I think that’s how the top four should look moving forward. Phillips is such a good player. I think Mitchell tends to need a little bit more time. And so number three suits him. I don’t think he’s the sort of player that can come out and just whack it from ball one. So I think he needs a little bit more time. So, number three, to me, suits him, off the back of the power of Allen and Seifert. So that’s how I think they should go.”

Only one T20I has been played at this venue, which is admittedly a very small sample size. However, there are some interesting trends to note. 6 out of the 9 night games played here last year during the Chhattisgarh Premier League were won by the side chasing. While that tournament took place in June, more recently, just last December, it was at this very venue that South Africa successfully chased down 359 against India in an ODI. Dew will once again be a factor for both teams to contend with, but they won't mind too much if the toss doesn't go their way, as this presents a good challenge to test themselves in dewy conditions.

New Zealand, on the other hand, have their task cut out in trying to contain this power-packed Indian batting unit. That said, they will welcome the challenge of testing themselves against one of the most aggressive line-ups likely to feature at the World Cup. In a blow to the Kiwis' resources ahead of the tournament, Adam Milne, who looked sharp during the SA20, has been ruled out with a hamstring injury. Kyle Jamieson has been named as his replacement, and he will be keen to make the most of the remaining four games and stake his claim.

Abhishek Sharma

“He’s been doing it to some of the fastest bowlers in the world in the IPL too. When a guy is in form like that, you just want to put the ball in the best areas you possibly can and hope he makes a mistake too,” he told reporters on Wednesday. “Obviously you have your plans and you try to meet them to the best of your ability. But sometimes, in this situation, you need a bit of luck too.”

Suryakumar Yadav after first T20I

“I felt good when I went in to bat. It was perfect time for me to go into bat. Good pressure situation,” said Suryakumar after the match.

“And as I said earlier as well, I’ve been batting really well in the nets. It was just a matter of time when you play a few balls, bat the way I bat. And that doesn’t change my identity. I think it came naturally. I mean, whatever strokes I played, I’ve been practicing really well in the last 2-3 weeks. I’m at it similarly during the net session. Played a few practice games as well. So I was feeling good,” Suryakumar further said.