India training - (Source: AFP)
India lead the five-match T20I series 1-0 after a comfortable 48-run win in the opening game at the Nagpur stadium. Notably, the hosts, batting first, put 238 runs on the board, courtesy of an 84-run knock from Abhishek Sharma.
In reply, New Zealand put 190 runs on the board and suffered a 48-run defeat. The caravan now moves to the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium, New Raipur, which will host the 2nd T20I on January 23.
India vs New Zealand 2nd T20I preview
India tried Ishan Kishan at No.3 for the first T20I, and the experiment didn’t work because the southpaw only amassed 8 (5). Further, Sanju Samson also failed to utilise the opportunity at the top and scored 10 (7), which featured two boundaries.
Suryakumar Yadav returned to form with a thirty-run knock, and a quickfire knock from Rinku Singh helped India put a good total on the board. In the bowling, Jasprit Bumrah looked off-colour, but Varun Chakaravarthy and Shivam Dube were on point with two wickets each.
However, India dealt a heavy blow as Axar Patel left the field midway after suffering a cut to his finger and bleeding. Therefore, it is unlikely for the left-arm spinner to feature in the 2nd T20I. Not just injury, but India might look to save Axar from further damage, because the T20 World Cup 2026 is less than a month away.
Therefore, India are expected to make a change in their playing XI, and this article will shed light on Men in Blue’s probable XI for the 2nd T20I.
Top Order: Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav
No Change in Top-Order, India to go with the same four
Despite failures with the bat for Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan at the top order, India will not make any changes and will present a longer rope to their star batters. The positive is that Suryakumar Yadav is back in form and slammed 32 (22).
Abhishek Sharma is in great touch and completed 5000 T20 runs in the first T20I, becoming the fastest player in the world to achieve this feat. Sharma set the platform for the middle-order to finish and put a big total on the board.
Middle Order: Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Harshit Rana
Harshit Rana to replace Axar Patel
India have one of the most explosive middle orders in T20Is at the moment. Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh are all big hitters and displayed the same in the 1st T20I. Pandya slammed a quickfire 25 (16), while Rinku rose to the occasion and amassed 44 (20).
Shivam couldn’t contribute with the bat, but that is the whole point of having three explosive middle-order batters so that one or two of them have a rise on a given day and shine for the Men in Blue. Further, Hardik and Shivam also contribute with the ball.
There is one change that India will make for the 2nd T20I, which is Harshit Rana coming in place of Axar Patel. Notably, Rana displayed his prowess as a batter during the 3rd ODI against New Zealand, where the right-handed batter slammed his maiden fifty to keep India alive in a high-scoring thriller.
Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy
Arshdeep to face forced exclusion from playing XI
Now with Axar Patel’s exit, India are left with Varun Chakaravarthy as the sole spinner in the team. Notably, in the first T20I, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravi Bishnoi warmed the bench. However, the Men in Blue will bring in an extra spinner, which is most likely to be Kuldeep. Therefore, Arshdeep, unfortunately, will have to make way for the left-arm spinner.
Rest, Varun Chakaravarthy and Jasprit Bumrah will continue to be a part of the playing XI.
India's predicted playing XI for New Zealand, 2nd T20I, 2026
Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Harshit Rana, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy
.jpg?type=mq "IND vs NZ head to head")
