Overview:
India’s recent dominance in T20 cricket places them as the heavy favourites going into the second match.
The second T20I of the five-match series between India (IND) and New Zealand (NZ) will be held at the renowned Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur, on Friday, January 23.
India head into the second T20I after a commanding 48-run victory over New Zealand in the series opener at Nagpur. Batting first, India posted a massive 238/7, their highest-ever T20I total against New Zealand, with Abhishek Sharma leading the charge with a blistering 84 off 35 balls. Despite early setbacks, Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya steadied the innings, and Rinku Singh’s explosive 44 off 20 balls finished the innings on a high.
New Zealand’s chase was off to a tough start, losing Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra for a single run. Glenn Phillips fought back with a resolute 78 off 40 balls, but the required run rate continued to rise. Shivam Dube and Varun Chakravarthy kept the pressure on in the middle overs, helping India secure a dominant win and took a 1-0 lead in the series.
Pitch report
The Raipur pitch is expected to provide a well-balanced surface for the upcoming game. It will offer pace and bounce, making for an exciting contest. Fast bowlers will enjoy good carry and bounce early on, while batters will find the surface more accommodating as the game progresses. Additionally, dew in the evening is expected to influence play significantly.
IND vs NZ weather report
Raipur is set for pleasant weather with no rain expected during the game. The humidity level is forecasted to be around 28%, while the temperature will hover between 25°C and 30°C, ensuring warm conditions throughout.
IND vs NZ head-to-head record
The head-to-head record slightly favors India, who have won 15 out of the 26 encounters, while New Zealand have secured 10 victories, with 1 match ending in a tie
| Matches Played | IND | NZ | No Result | Tied |
| 26 | 15 | 10 | 0 | 1 |
IND vs NZ probable top performers
Watch out for key batter: Abhishek Sharma
Abhishek Sharma, is the player to keep an eye on in the second T20I against New Zealand.His destructive 84 off 35 balls in the first game, which included five boundaries and eight sixes, gave India the perfect platform, before he fell to Ish Sodhi. Abhishek Sharma will be looking to keep up his blistering form and give India a solid foundation in the next match.
Watch out for key bowler: Varun Chakravarthy
Varun Chakravarthy, currently ranked as the No. 1 bowler in the ICC T20I rankings, has been in sensational form since 2025. With 38 wickets in 19 innings and an impressive economy rate of 7.21, he has proven himself as a key asset for India. Chakravarthy will undoubtedly be a bowler to watch in the upcoming T20I against New Zealand, where his skills could play a pivotal role in India’s success.
IND vs NZ : Match prediction
India’s recent dominance in T20 cricket places them as the heavy favourites going into the second match. Despite New Zealand’s solid performances in this format, they will need to be at their best to challenge India. With the home advantage and a formidable bowling lineup, India are expected to clinch this game.
IND vs NZ : probable XIs
India: Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Rinku Singh, Ishan Kishan, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah,Varun Chakaravarthy
New Zealand: Tim Robinson, Devon Conway(w), Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner(c), Kristian Clarke, Rachin Ravindra, Ish Sodhi, Kyle Jamieson, Jacob Duffy