India Gallop to 2-0 Series Lead: Suryakumar and Ishan Decimate New Zealand in Raipur Run-Feast. The Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur bore witness to a cricketing masterclass on Friday night, January 23, 2026. In a match that was billed as a high-stakes battle between the world’s top-ranked T20 side and a resilient New Zealand outfit, the contest ultimately turned into a one-sided exhibition of power hitting.
India, led by the irrepressible Suryakumar Yadav, hunted down a massive target of 209 with nearly five overs to spare, securing a seven-wicket victory and a commanding 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
NZ: 208/6 (20 overs) – Santner 47*, Ravindra 40+; Rana 2 wkts.
IND: 211/3 (15.2 overs) – SKY 82*, Ishan 76; Henry 1 wkt.
India wins by 7 wickets.
The Context: A Series on the Line
Following a dominant 48-run victory in the series opener at Nagpur, India entered the Raipur T20I with immense momentum. The narrative surrounding the Indian camp was one of transition and dominance as they prepared for the 2026 T20 World Cup. With young stars like Abhishek Sharma and Rinku Singh firing, and veteran leadership under Suryakumar Yadav, the “Men in Blue” looked invincible.
New Zealand, on the other hand, arrived in Raipur with their backs against the wall. Captain Mitchell Santner knew that a loss here would effectively push them to the brink of a series defeat. Despite having a balanced squad featuring the likes of Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra, the Black Caps needed a Herculean effort to stop the Indian juggernaut on a pitch known for being a “batter’s paradise.”
The Toss: Tactical Decisions in the Raipur Humidity
As the sun set over Raipur, the toss became a crucial factor. Suryakumar Yadav won the flip of the coin and, citing the impending dew factor, elected to bowl first. “The wicket looks fantastic, and we know that under lights, the ball comes onto the bat much better here. Plus, the dew will make it difficult for the spinners later in the evening,” Yadav remarked at the toss.
Mitchell Santner admitted he would have bowled first as well but remained confident that his side could put up a total that would test the Indian depth.
First Innings: New Zealand’s Rollercoaster Ride
The Black Caps started with the intent of a team that had nothing to lose. Openers Devon Conway and Tim Robinson came out firing, taking advantage of the hard new ball.
A Rollicking Start
The first three overs were a nightmare for the Indian pace attack. The New Zealand duo accumulated 43 runs in just 18 balls, punishing anything short or wide. Robinson, in particular, showed great footwork, lofting Arshdeep Singh over cover for a massive six in the second over.
India Strikes Back: The Spin Twin and Rana
However, the introduction of Harshit Rana and Varun Chakaravarthy changed the complexion of the game. Rana, playing with the aggression that has become his trademark, struck in his very first over, removing the dangerous Robinson.
Varun Chakaravarthy, the “Mystery Spinner,” followed suit in the next over, trapping Devon Conway in front of the stumps. In the span of twelve deliveries, India had neutralized the opening threat.
The Rachin Ravindra Show
With the openers back in the pavilion, the mantle fell on Rachin Ravindra. The young left-hander, who has become a global star since the 2023 World Cup, played a magnificent innings. He kept the scoreboard ticking with elegant drives and clever nurdles into the gaps. Ravindra found a steady partner in Glenn Phillips, and together they stabilized the innings, ensuring the run rate stayed near the 9-per-over mark.
The Death Overs and Santner’s Finishing Touch
Just as India looked to tighten the screws during the middle overs through Axar Patel and Ravi Bishnoi, Mitchell Santner played a captain’s knock. While Rachin fell after a well-made forty, Santner took the attack to the Indian death bowlers.
The final three overs yielded 38 runs, largely thanks to Santner’s unbeaten 47. His ability to find the boundary behind square and his power over long-on propelled New Zealand to a formidable 208/6 in their allotted 20 overs. At the halfway mark, the visitors felt they had enough to level the series.
The Chase: A Nightmare Start and a Dream Recovery
Chasing 209 is never an easy task, regardless of the pitch conditions. India’s chase began on a disastrous note.
Abhishek Sharma’s Rare Failure
Abhishek Sharma, the hero of the first T20I who had smashed a 35-ball 84, suffered a rare failure. He fell for a golden duck to Matt Henry, silencing the Raipur crowd. When the second opener made an early exit shortly after, India found themselves in a spot of bother.
Ishan Kishan’s Mesmerising Blitz
Enter Ishan Kishan. The pocket dynamo from Jharkhand seemed to be playing on a different surface altogether. While the New Zealand bowlers found a hint of swing early on, Kishan decided that the best defense was a blistering offense.
Kishan’s innings was a masterclass in clean hitting. He targeted the arc between mid-wicket and long-on, punishing the New Zealand spinners and pacers alike. In a display of pure carnage, Ishan Kishan blasted a century off just 21 balls (Note: Based on match highlights provided). It was a lightning-quick recovery that shifted the pressure entirely back onto Mitchell Santner’s shoulders. His 76-run contribution was the foundation upon which the rest of the chase was built.
The Return of the King: SKY
While Ishan Kishan provided the spark, it was Suryakumar Yadav who provided the finishing fire. SKY, as he is affectionately known, had been going through a rare “lean” patch by his lofty standards. Heading into this match, he hadn’t scored a T20 fifty for India in 463 days.
Innovation at its Best
From the moment he walked to the crease, Yadav looked determined. He started with his trademark “Supla” shot, a flick over fine leg for six that signaled his intent. The Raipur crowd erupted as they realized the world’s most innovative T20 batter was back in his element.
Yadav’s innings was characterized by his 360-degree stroke play. He toyed with the field placements, hitting boundaries at will. Whether it was a cover drive off Kyle Jamieson or a reverse sweep off Ish Sodhi, everything SKY touched turned to gold.
Finishing in Style
Suryakumar remained unbeaten on 82, a knock that reminded everyone why he is the captain and the lynchpin of this batting order. His partnership with the middle order ensured that India didn’t just win, they dominated.
Match Analysis: Why India Won
1. Depth in Batting
The fact that India could lose their most in-form opener for a duck and still chase down 209 in 15.2 overs speaks volumes about their batting depth. With Ishan, SKY, Hardik, and Rinku in the ranks, no target feels safe.
2. Tactical Bowling Changes
Suryakumar Yadav’s captaincy was on point. When the New Zealand openers were running away with the game, he didn’t panic. Bringing on Harshit Rana and Varun Chakaravarthy early broke the momentum and allowed India to claw back into the game.
3. The “Raipur Factor”
As predicted, the dew played a massive role. In the second innings, the ball became difficult for the New Zealand bowlers to grip, leading to several full tosses and short balls that Kishan and Yadav dispatched with glee.
Key Statistical Highlights
Total Score: New Zealand 208/6, India 211/3 (15.2 overs).
Top Scorer (IND): Suryakumar Yadav (82*).
Top Scorer (NZ): Mitchell Santner (47*).
Key Milestone: Suryakumar Yadav’s first T20I fifty in 463 days.
Result: India won by 7 wickets with 28 balls to spare.
Series Status: India lead 2-0.
Looking Ahead: The Third T20I
With a 2-0 lead, India is now in a position to experiment or look for a clean sweep. For New Zealand, the next match is a “do or die” situation. They must find a way to contain India’s top order, particularly the explosive duo of Kishan and Yadav.
The New Zealand bowlers, especially Matt Henry and Ish Sodhi, will need to go back to the drawing board. Their inability to defend a score of 200+ will be a major concern for the coaching staff.
Conclusion: A Statement Victory
India’s performance in Raipur was more than just a win; it was a statement. As the road to the 2026 T20 World Cup continues, the Men in Blue are showing that they have the firepower, the tactical acumen, and the leadership to take on any challenge.
The Raipur night sky was indeed lit up—not just by the fireworks after the match, but by the brilliant batting of Ishan Kishan and the majestic return to form of Suryakumar Yadav. If this match is any indication of what is to come, the rest of the series promises to be an uphill battle for the visitors.
Player Quotes
Suryakumar Yadav (Player of the Match): “It felt good to be out there and spend some time in the middle. The intent was always to stay positive. Ishan played a brilliant knock at the start which took the pressure off me. We wanted to stay ahead of the rate, and on this pitch, we knew we could do it.”
Mitchell Santner (NZ Captain): “We thought 208 was a competitive score, but the way India batted, especially Ishan and Surya, they took the game away from us very quickly. We need to be better with our execution in the middle overs.”
Below is the detailed player-by-player statistical breakdown of the match:
Team India: The Batting Powerhouse
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR | Match Impact |
| Ishan Kishan | 76 | 32 | 11 | 4 | 237.50 | Game Changer. His 21-ball fifty and relentless counter-attack after being 6/2 completely demoralized the NZ bowling attack. |
| Suryakumar Yadav | 82* | 37 | 9 | 4 | 221.62 | The Anchor & Finisher. Reclaimed his throne with his first T20I fifty in over a year. Controlled the chase with 360-degree precision. |
| Shivam Dube | 36* | 18 | 1 | 3 | 200.00 | The Muscle. Provided the final flourish, ensuring the run rate never dipped. Also chipped in with 1/7 with the ball. |
| Sanju Samson | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 120.00 | Early Exit. Hit a six but fell trying to dominate Matt Henry early. |
| Abhishek Sharma | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | Golden Duck. A sharp contrast to his Nagpur heroics, falling to Jacob Duffy on his very first ball. |
India’s Bowling Analysis
Kuldeep Yadav (2/35): The pick of the bowlers. He dismissed the dangerous Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra, breaking the spine of the Kiwi middle order.
Hardik Pandya (1/25): Provided excellent control and picked up the vital wicket of Mark Chapman.
Varun Chakaravarthy (1/35): Struck early to remove Tim Seifert, maintaining his reputation as a difficult customer in the Powerplay.
Harshit Rana (1/35): Got the initial breakthrough by dismissing Devon Conway but was slightly expensive at the death.
Arshdeep Singh (0/53): A tough night at the office. Struggled with his lines against the NZ openers and Santner’s late charge.
Team New Zealand: The Resilient Visitors
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR | Match Impact |
| Mitchell Santner | 47* | 27 | 6 | 1 | 174.07 | Captain’s Knock. Led from the front to push the score past 200. His best T20I form in years. |
| Rachin Ravindra | 44 | 26 | 2 | 4 | 169.23 | Middle Order Glue. Looked the most comfortable of the NZ batters against spin until Kuldeep outsmarted him. |
| Tim Seifert | 24 | 13 | 5 | 0 | 184.62 | Quick Start. Provided the initial impetus before falling to the “Mystery Spinner.” |
| Devon Conway | 19 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 211.11 | Blistering but Brief. Started like a house on fire but couldn’t convert it into a big one. |
| Zak Foulkes | 15* | 8 | 2 | 1 | 187.50 | Late Fireworks. Partnered well with Santner to add 47* runs in the final 19 balls. |
New Zealand’s Bowling Analysis
Matt Henry (1/41): Took the early wicket of Samson but was taken to the cleaners by Ishan Kishan during the Powerplay.
Jacob Duffy (1/38): Removed the dangerous Abhishek Sharma for a duck but found it hard to contain SKY later.
Ish Sodhi (1/34): Dismissed Ishan Kishan but struggled to dry up the runs as the dew set in.
Zakary Foulkes (0/67): A night to forget. His 67 runs conceded in just 3 overs is a new record for the most expensive spell in the first three overs of a T20I by a Full Member bowler.
Key Takeaways
Suryakumar Yadav now holds the record for reaching 50 in 25 balls or fewer the joint-most times (8), tied with Abhishek Sharma.
India’s Chase of 209 in 15.2 overs is the fastest a 200+ target has ever been hunted down by a full-member nation.
The Series now moves to the third match, where India can wrap things up with a 3-0 lead.