India vs New Zealand 2nd T20I: Predicted XI, Pitch Report, and Match Preview
Player Name
| India | New Zealand |
| Sanju Samson (Wk) | Tim Seifert (Wk) |
| Abhishek Sharma | Devon Conway |
| Ishan Kishan | Rachin Ravindra |
| Suryakumar Yadav (C) | Glenn Phillips |
| Hardik Pandya | Mark Chapman |
| Shivam Dube | Daryl Mitchell |
| Rinku Singh | Mitchell Santner (C) |
| Harshit Rana | Zakary Foulkes |
| Arshdeep Singh | Matt Henry |
| Kuldeep Yadav | Ish Sodhi |
| Varun Chakaravarthy | Jacob Duffy |
The caravan of the New Zealand tour of India moves to the heart of Chhattisgarh as the Men in Blue prepare to host the Black Caps for the 2nd T20I at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur.
Following a dominant 48-run victory in the series opener at Nagpur, Team India, led by Surya kumar Yadav, holds a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. For Mitchell Santner’s New Zealand, Friday’s clash is a critical opportunity to level the series and prove that their T20 World Cup preparations are back on track after a stumbling start.
With the T20 World Cup 2026 on the horizon, every game is a litmus test for squad depth and form. Here is everything you need to know about the 2nd T20I, including the pitch report, predicted playing XI, and match preview.
Match Details
-
Match: India vs New Zealand, 2nd T20I
-
Date: Friday, January 23, 2026
-
Time: 7:00 PM IST (Toss at 6:30 PM)
-
Venue: Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur
-
Live Streaming: JioHotstar & Star Sports Network
Match Preview: Can New Zealand Bounce Back?
Team India looked imperious in the first T20I. The aggressive opening salvo from Abhishek Sharma, coupled with Rinku Singh’s finishing touches, propelled India to a match-winning total. The bowling unit, spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah and the mystery spin of Varun Chakravarthy, choked the Kiwi chase effectively. The biggest positive for the management was the intent shown by the top order—a template India is keen to solidify before the World Cup.
New Zealand, on the other hand, will be disappointed with their batting application. While their bowlers had moments of brilliance, the batting lineup struggled against India’s spin web. Captain Mitchell Santner will need experienced campaigners like Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell to step up. The visitors are known for their resilience, and with the Raipur pitch likely to behave differently than Nagpur, they will fancy their chances of a comeback.
Pitch Report: What to Expect in Raipur?
The pitch at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium is historically a balanced surface, but it has distinct characteristics that captains must consider at the toss.
-
Pace & Bounce: The new ball tends to come onto the bat nicely, allowing openers to score freely in the Powerplay. However, the large boundaries in Raipur mean that batters have to rely on running hard between the wickets rather than just clearing the ropes.
-
Spin Factor: As the game progresses and the ball softens, the pitch tends to slow down. Spinners like Axar Patel and Mitchell Santner will come into play in the middle overs, making stroke-making difficult for new batters.
-
The Dew Factor: Being a night match in January, dew is expected to play a significant role in the second innings. The wet ball makes it harder for bowlers to grip, potentially making the chase easier.
-
Verdict: The captain winning the toss is highly likely to bowl first, aiming to restrict the opposition to a par score of 165-175 and chase it down with the aid of dew.
Player Battles to Watch
-
Abhishek Sharma vs Matt Henry: Sharma’s ultra-aggressive approach against the new ball will be tested by Henry’s accuracy and movement. If Sharma survives the first three overs, he could take the game away early.
-
Suryakumar Yadav vs Mitchell Santner: The battle of the captains. SKY’s 360-degree game against Santner’s smart changes of pace will be a fascinating contest in the middle overs.
-
Varun Chakravarthy vs NZ Middle Order: Chakravarthy’s mystery spin troubled the Kiwis in Nagpur. With batters like Glenn Phillips who attack spin, this matchup could decide the flow of the innings.
Conclusion & Prediction
India enters the contest as firm favorites due to their superior familiarity with the conditions and current form. The synergy between their aggressive batting and disciplined bowling makes them a tough nut to crack at home. However, New Zealand is a side that thrives when cornered.
Prediction: If dew sets in, the chasing team has a 60% advantage. However, based on pure squad strength and momentum, India is predicted to win and take a 2-0 lead in the series.
India vs New Zealand 2nd T20I: Predicted XI, Pitch Report, and Match Preview
The rivalry between the Men in Blue and the Black Caps has always produced high-voltage drama. While India has been dominant at home, New Zealand remains one of the few sides capable of upsetting India in their own backyard.
-
Total Matches Played: 28
-
India Won: 15
-
New Zealand Won: 10
-
Tied/No Result: 3
-
Last 5 Encounters: India leads 4-1
In the previous match at Nagpur, India broke their recent pattern of chasing by defending a total, which adds a psychological edge going into Raipur. New Zealand will be desperate to improve their record on Indian soil, where they have often struggled against high-quality spin.
Weather Report: Will Rain Play Spoilsport in Raipur?
Fans flocking to the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium can breathe a sigh of relief. The weather forecast for Friday, January 23, is promising for a full 40-over contest.
-
Temperature: Expect a pleasant evening with temperatures hovering around 22°C at the start of play, dropping to 18°C by the second innings.
-
Humidity: Humidity levels are expected to be around 55-60%. This confirms the likelihood of dew settling in around 8:30 PM IST, which will heavily favor the team batting second.
-
Rain Probability: 0%. There are no signs of rain, ensuring an uninterrupted game.
Dream11 Prediction & Fantasy Cricket Tips
For fantasy cricket enthusiasts playing on Dream11, My11Circle, or other platforms, selecting the right Captain and Vice-Captain is crucial for the 2nd T20I.
Top Captaincy Picks
-
Suryakumar Yadav (IND): The world’s best T20 batter is in sublime form. His ability to manipulate the field makes him a safe captaincy choice, especially on a balanced Raipur deck.
-
Hardik Pandya (IND): With his four overs of pace and crucial finishing role at No. 5, Pandya offers points in both departments.
Top Vice-Captain Picks
-
Rachin Ravindra (NZ): The young sensation contributes with both bat and ball. He is likely to bowl 2-3 overs of spin and bat in the top order, making him a high-value asset.
-
Axar Patel (IND): On a track that aids spin, Axar is a wicket-taking threat and can score quick runs if the top order collapses.
Budget Pick (Game Changer)
-
Tim Robinson (NZ): An explosive opener who is selected by fewer fantasy players. If he gets going in the Powerplay, he can generate massive differential points.
Broadcast & Live Streaming Details
Cricket fans across the globe can catch the live action of the India vs New Zealand series through various official broadcasters.
-
India: Sports18 Network (TV) and JioCinema / JioHotstar (Live Streaming).
-
New Zealand: TVNZ+ and Spark Sport.
-
UK: Sky Sports Cricket.
-
USA & Canada: Willow TV.
-
Rest of the World: Official YouTube Channel (in select non-broadcast territories).
Final Verdict
The 2nd T20I in Raipur promises to be a cracker. While New Zealand has the firepower to bounce back, the combination of home advantage, form, and the “dew factor” makes India the clear favorite to seal the series on Friday night.
