India and New Zealand. (Photo source: BCCI)

India (IND) are all set to host New Zealand (NZ) in the second T20I of the five-match series, at the renowned Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, in Raipur, on Friday, January 23.

India head into the second T20I with a clinical 48-run win over New Zealand in the series opener at Nagpur. Asked to bat first, the Men in Blue posted 238/7, their highest T20I total against New Zealand, thanks to a brilliant knock from Abhishek Sharma. The left-hander smashed 84 off just 35 balls, and took India out of trouble after losing two early wickets. Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya also chipped in before Rinku Singh’s unbeaten 44 off 20 balls gave a strong finish.

In reply, New Zealand lost Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra for just one run. Glenn Phillips fought hard with a 78 off 40 balls, but the required rate kept climbing. Varun Chakravarthy and Shivam Dube looked good in the middle overs, ensuring India sealed a comfortable win and a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

IND vs NZ Match Details

Match	India vs New Zealand, 2nd T20I, New Zealand tour of India 2026
Date and Time (IST)	Friday, January 23, 7:00 PM
Venue	Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur
Broadcast and Live-Streaming	JioStar Network Channels and JioHotstar (App & Website)

Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur Pitch Report

The Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur is renowned for its slow pitch, offering support to medium-fast and slower-paced bowlers. Considering the outstanding quality of pitches throughout the series, there is anticipation for another high-scoring thriller, suggesting a favourable playing surface for batters.

IND vs NZ: Head-to-Head T20I Record

Matches Played	26
Won by IND	13
Won by NZ	10
Tied / No Results	03
First-ever Fixture	September 16, 2007 (NZ Won)
Most-recent Fixture	January 21, 2026 (IND Won)

IND vs NZ: Predicted Playing XIs India (IND):

Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah

New Zealand (NZ):

Tim Robinson, Devon Conway(w), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner(c), Kristian Clarke, Kyle Jamieson, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy

IND vs NZ Probable Best Performers Probable Best Batter: Abhishek Sharma Devon Conway and Abhishek Sharma. (Photo source: BCCI)

Star Indian opener Abhishek Sharma could be the best batter in the upcoming second T20I against New Zealand. In the first T20I, the southpaw held on to one end firmly and scored a 35-ball 84. He laced his innings with five boundaries and eight towering sixes before being a victim of Ish Sodhi's delivery. The youngster will be looking to take the same form in the upcoming match and give the Men in Blue a stunning start.

Probable Best Bowler: Hardik Pandya

In his first T20I at Nagpur, Hardik Pandya bowled two overs and conceded just 20 runs, removing Rachin Ravindra in the second over of the innings. The veteran all-rounder will once again share the new ball with Arshdeep Singh and will be in high spirits coming into the next fixture.

Today's Match Prediction: Team batting first to win the match