Raipur, Jan 23 (.) Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav produced a breathtaking batting display to power India to a seven-wicket victory over New Zealand in the second T20 International of the tour at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium here on Friday.
India suffered early jolts as Sanju Samson (6 off 5) and Abhishek Sharma (0 off 1) were dismissed within the first seven deliveries, reducing the hosts to 6 for 2. From there, Kishan and Suryakumar launched a blistering counterattack.
Kishan smashed 76 off just 32 balls, including 11 fours and four sixes, while captain Suryakumar Yadav remained unbeaten on 82 off 37 deliveries. Together, they put on a 122-run partnership that decisively swung the match in India’s favour inside the Powerplay and early middle overs.
Shivam Dube added a quick 36 not out off 18 balls, ensuring India completed the chase with 28 balls to spare, finishing at 209 for 3 in 15.2 overs at a run rate of 13.63.
Earlier, New Zealand posted a challenging 208 for 6 in their 20 overs after India elected to bowl. Mitchell Santner led the innings from No.7, remaining unbeaten on 47 off 27 balls, while Rachin Ravindra contributed a fluent 44 off 26 deliveries.
Devon Conway (19 off 9) and Tim Seifert (24 off 13) gave New Zealand brisk starts, but wickets at regular intervals prevented the visitors from fully accelerating. Kuldeep Yadav was India’s most successful bowler, claiming two wickets for 35 runs, while Arshdeep Singh went for 53 in four overs.
The New Zealand innings was built on depth and late-order hitting, with Santner and Zakary Foulkes (15 not out off 8) adding crucial runs in the final overs.
However, India’s response showcased their batting firepower and ability to chase large totals efficiently. New Zealand’s bowlers struggled to contain the momentum once Kishan and Yadav got set, with Zakary Foulkes conceding 67 runs in three overs.
India’s emphatic seven-wicket victory underlined the team’s dominance in the shortest format and their capacity to overturn challenging totals through aggressive batting and timely partnerships. The series now stands level at 2-0 in five-match series.
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