India Triumphs Over New Zealand in Second T20 Match
RAIPUR, India (AP) — In a thrilling second T20 match against New Zealand on Friday, India emerged victorious by seven wickets, taking a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. The standout performances of Ishan Kishan and captain Suryakumar Yadav were pivotal in achieving this win. Kishan unleashed an explosive 76 runs off just 32 deliveries, while Yadav contributed an impressive 82 not out from 37 balls. The duo’s rapid scoring included a total of 20 boundaries and eight sixes.
Match Highlights
India’s chase was completed in mere 15.2 overs, with Shivam Dube adding a brisk 36 runs off 18 balls to seal the match. The hosts successfully chased down New Zealand’s total of 208-6, which was considered below-par given the batting-friendly conditions. New Zealand’s captain Mitchell Santner quipped after the game that a target of 300 might have been more appropriate against the Indian side.
New Zealand’s Struggles
Rachin Ravindra was among the few to shine in New Zealand’s innings, scoring 44 runs off 28 balls, while Santner himself provided a late surge with an unbeaten 47 off 27. However, New Zealand fell short of expectations after a strong start. Their openers, Devon Conway and Tim Seifert, set the tone with a 43-run partnership but the middle order struggled under pressure.
India’s Dominance
India’s innings started on a shaky note at 6-2, but Kishan quickly turned the tide, reaching a swift fifty in just 21 balls, marking the record for the fastest T20 half-century for India against New Zealand. During a remarkable partnership of 100 runs for the third wicket, Kishan and Yadav displayed complete dominance, dismantling New Zealand’s bowling attack for 122 runs off only 48 deliveries. Kishan’s wicket fell in the tenth over, caught by Ish Sodhi, but Yadav took over the charge thereafter, scoring his half-century in 23 deliveries—his first in 24 T20 matches going back to October 2024.
Victory Secured
Yadav escaped three dropped catches while on 43, 64, and 70 runs, but continued to build momentum alongside Dube, adding an additional 81 runs in just 37 balls to cement the victory with considerable ease, allowing India to win with 28 balls remaining—the largest margin of victory by a full-member team when chasing a target over 200 in T20 internationals. The third T20 match is set to take place in Guwahati on Sunday, continuing the thrilling contest between these two cricketing nations.
