NEW DELHI: India captain Suryakumar Yadav regained form as he and Ishan Kishan powered India to a commanding seven-wicket win over New Zealand in the second Twenty20 International at Raipur on Friday.
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Chasing a challenging 209, Yadav scored an unbeaten 82 while Kishan blitzed 76 off just 32 balls, helping India reach the target with 28 balls to spare and take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. Shivam Dube contributed a rapid 36 not out to ensure a dominant finish.
New Zealand, put into bat, posted 208-6, with captain Mitchell Santner top-scoring with 47 not out. Rachin Ravindra also impressed with a 44-run knock, featuring four sixes and two fours. Early wickets of openers Devon Conway (19) and Tim Seifert (24) could not derail the Kiwis, as Santner and Zak Foulkes took the innings past 200.
Notable Records:
🏏 Ishan Kishan: Fastest T20I fifty by an Indian wicketkeeper? (off ~25-30 balls – explosive!).
🏏 Suryakumar Yadav: 82* – his highest unbeaten in T20Is this series.
🏏 India’s chase: One of the fastest 200+ chases (15.2 overs) – joint-record territory.… pic.twitter.com/bmx9gafT8M— Indian Cricket News (@IndianCricNews) January 24, 2026
India’s chase began shakily, losing Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma for just six runs combined in the first over. Kishan’s aggressive counter-attack, including 11 fours and four sixes, shifted momentum, and Yadav anchored the innings with composure. Despite a few dropped catches, Yadav remained unbeaten, marking his first fifty in 24 T20Is.
India rested pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and sidelined spin all-rounder Axar Patel due to a thumb injury ahead of next month’s T20 World Cup. The win provides a confidence boost to the hosts, with both Yadav and Kishan showcasing form ahead of India’s title defence.
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The two teams now move to Guwahati for the third match of the series on Sunday, with India seeking to maintain their winning streak.