Team India made a record-breaking start to the five-match T20I series against New Zealand. The opening game turned into a batting spectacle, led by Abhishek Sharma, who once again proved why he is the No.1 ranked T20I batter in the world.
Abhishek smashed 84 runs off just 35 balls, hitting 8 sixes, and registered the fastest T20I fifty by an Indian against New Zealand. His innings, along with Rinku Singh’s unbeaten 44 off 20 balls, powered India to 238/7, their highest-ever T20I total vs New Zealand.
With the ball too, India looked in control for most phases. New Zealand appeared rusty, lacking clarity in plans and execution. That is unusual for a side known for discipline, and they will be desperate to bounce back.
The second T20I will now be played at Raipur, where New Zealand will try to regroup and challenge a dominant Indian unit.
IND vs NZ Match Details
| Match Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Tournament | India vs New Zealand T20I Series 2026 |
| Match | India vs New Zealand, 2nd T20I |
| Date | Friday, 23 January 2026 |
| Time | 7:00 PM IST |
| Venue | Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium |
Match Preview
India
India look like a complete T20I side at the moment.
- Explosive top order with batting depth till No. 8
- Multiple power-hitters in the middle order
- World-class pace and spin options
The freedom with which Indian batters play comes from their depth and confidence. The only concern remains Suryakumar Yadav’s form, but even that hasn’t affected results.
Key Players:
Abhishek Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah
New Zealand
Despite winning the ODI series earlier, New Zealand looked tentative in T20Is.
- Bowling struggled under pressure
- Batters failed to counter India’s pace & spin
- Decision-making lacked intent
On paper, this is still a strong T20 side, but execution will be key. Expect possible changes in the XI to regain balance.
Key Players:
Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner
Head-to-Head Record (T20Is)
| Team | Matches Won |
|---|---|
| India | 15 |
| New Zealand | 10 |
| No Result/Tied | 1 |
Recent Form (Last 5 Matches)
| Team | Last 5 Matches |
|---|---|
| India | L, W, NR, W, W |
| New Zealand | W, W, NR, W, L |
Pitch & Weather Report – Raipur
Weather
- Temperature: 21–23°C
- Humidity: 48–56%
- Rain: No rain expected
Pitch Behaviour
- Flat batting wicket
- Spinners get grip as match progresses
- Chasing records are average
Raipur Ground Stats – T20Is
| Record | Numbers |
|---|---|
| Total Matches | 1 |
| Batting First Wins | 1 |
| Batting Second Wins | 0 |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 174 |
| Highest Score | 174/9 |
| Lowest Score | 154/7 |
Predicted Playing XI
India
- Abhishek Sharma
- Sanju Samson (WK)
- Ishan Kishan
- Suryakumar Yadav (C)
- Shivam Dube
- Hardik Pandya
- Rinku Singh
- Axar Patel
- Arshdeep Singh
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Varun Chakravarthy
New Zealand
- Devon Conway
- Rachin Ravindra
- Tim Robinson
- Daryl Mitchell
- Mark Chapman
- Glenn Phillips
- Mitchell Santner (C)
- Kristian Clarke
- Jacob Duffy
- Ish Sodhi
- Kyle Jamieson
Dream11 Fantasy Tips
Small League (Safe Options)
Captain / Vice-Captain Choices
- Hardik Pandya
- Daryl Mitchell
- Varun Chakravarthy
- Rachin Ravindra
Grand League (High-Risk Picks)
Captain / Vice-Captain Choices
- Abhishek Sharma
- Glenn Phillips
- Mark Chapman
- Suryakumar Yadav
Match Prediction – Who Will Win?
New Zealand are a quality side, but India are currently the best T20I team in the world. They have the No.1 ranked batter, elite bowlers, and unmatched batting depth. The aggressive approach shown in the first match put New Zealand under immense pressure.
Unless New Zealand produce a near-perfect game, India hold a clear edge.
Predicted Winner: India
Injury Update
| Team | Status |
|---|---|
| New Zealand | No injury updates |
| India | No injury updates |
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