India registered a commanding seven-wicket victory over New Zealand in the second T20I in Raipur on Friday, chasing down a target of 209 with ease to reach 209/3 in just 15.2 overs and take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
Ishan Kishan played a decisive role in the chase, scoring 76 runs off 32 balls, an innings studded with 11 fours and four sixes. His aggressive knock put India firmly in control before he was dismissed by Ish Sodhi. Captain Suryakumar Yadav then ensured there were no further hiccups, remaining unbeaten on 82 off 37 deliveries, which included nine fours and four sixes. He shared a match-winning partnership with Shivam Dube, who stayed not out on 36.
India’s chase began with early setbacks as Matt Henry dismissed Sanju Samson for 6 in the first over, followed by Duffy removing Abhishek Sharma for a golden duck in the second. Despite the quick wickets, Kishan’s counterattack and Yadav’s fluent innings ensured a comfortable finish.
Earlier, Mitchell Santner provided New Zealand with a strong finish, guiding the visitors to 208/6 in 20 overs in the first T20I in Raipur on Friday. The New Zealand captain scored an unbeaten 47 off 27 balls, hitting six fours and one six. Rachin Ravindra narrowly missed a half-century, getting out for 44 off 26 balls to Kuldeep Yadav. Shivam Dube accounted for Daryl Mitchell’s wicket.
New Zealand made a brisk start, with opener Devon Conway taking 18 runs off Arshdeep Singh’s first over. Conway looked set for more boundaries but was dismissed by Harshit Rana for 19 off nine balls, breaking his partnership with Tim Seifert. Seifert was later removed by Varun Chakaravarthy for 24 off 13 balls, while Kuldeep Yadav also dismissed Glenn Phillips for 19 off 13.
In the first T20I, Abhishek Sharma was in exceptional form, once again justifying his position as the world’s No. 1 T20I batter. The opener smashed 84 off 35 balls, including five fours and eight sixes, striking at 240.00. Rinku Singh played the finisher’s role, remaining unbeaten on 44 off 20 balls as India posted 238/7 in 20 overs.
Defending a target of 239, India restricted New Zealand to 190/7 in their 20 overs. Shivam Dube and Varun Chakaravarthy picked up two wickets each to seal a comprehensive victory for the hosts.
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