The final stretch before a home World Cup title defence is unfolding dreamily for India as Suryakumar Yadav & Co aim to seal the T20I series against New Zealand at the ACA Stadium here on Sunday. Two matches into the five-T20I series, India hold a 2-0 lead, with their batting order firing with a confidence that has turned the build-up to the global showpiece into a statement of intent rather than a period of fine-tuning.
Abhishek Sharma is batting as if the calendar never turned from 2025, Rinku Singh has slipped back into finishing duties with effortless assurance, and skipper Suryakumar Yadav’s much-discussed training-ground fluency has finally translated into match-day impact in the second T20I in Raipur on Friday.
“As I’ve said before, I was batting really well in the nets. Everything I did back home over the last two or three weeks helped. I got a good break to spend time with my family and friends, had good practice sessions, and I’m really enjoying what’s happening right now,” said Suryakumar Yadav after ending his 24-innings-long rut for a T20I fifty on Friday.
India’s batting depth has been such that even Ishan Kishan, a central figure in Raipur, does not currently project as a first-choice starter when the World Cup starts February 7.
As was the case earlier in the week, only a travel day separates the second and third games, but India are unlikely to mind the quick turnaround. Momentum is firmly on their side, and the short gap allows them to roll straight into another contest without losing rhythm.
For New Zealand, however, the journey from Raipur to Guwahati is likely to be accompanied by a fair amount of reflection. Two defeats have exposed gaps both in execution and adaptability, and the visitors know that another misstep would bring the series to an abrupt end. Selection changes could be on the cards, particularly in the bowling department.
“When you come up against a side that bats deep on a really good wicket, that’s the way India have come out — with intent from ball one. I guess they have a licence for every batter. For us, it’s about trying to squeeze wherever we can,” said Kiwi skipper Mitchell Santner after their second successive loss.
On the other hand, India, too, may tweak their combination. If vice-captain Axar Patel is fully fit, he is expected to return alongside Jasprit Bumrah, strengthening both the bowling attack and the all-round balance.
New Zealand could respond by bringing in Kyle Jamieson, who has been added to the World Cup squad as a replacement for the injured Adam Milne, with Zakary Foulkes potentially making way after a tough outing in Raipur.
As far as stats are concerned, Guwahati has a recent reputation for high-scoring T20s, and another run-fest may be on the cards. The last T20I at the venue, in November 2023, saw India pile up 222 only for Australia to chase it down, with 23 coming off the final over.
With India’s batting in full flow and New Zealand desperate to stay alive in the series, Sunday’s contest promises plenty of runs and high drama as India look to finish the job early.
Squads:
India: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy, Rinku Singh, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Harshit Rana.
New Zealand: Mitchell Santner (captain), Devon Conway, Bevon Jacobs, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Tim Robinson, Jimmy Neesham, Ish Sodi, Zak Foulkes, Mark Chapman, Michael Bracewell, Rachin Ravindra, Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy, Kristian Clarke.