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.
The left-hander underlined his dominance with a Player of the Match performance in the opening T20I on Wednesday, blasting eight sixes and five fours, to power India to a commanding 48-run win.
India’s batting lineup posted a massive 238/7 against New Zealand. The hosts powered through the starting overs with relentless hitting.
With the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 starting on February 7, this series marks the final crucial preparation for India and New Zealand ahead of the global event.
While Iyer has been added for the first three matches of the five-match series, Bishnoi replaces Sundar for the entire rubber with the BCCI revealing that the off-spinning allrounder will head to the Centre of Excellence for further management of his injury.
The 23-year-old was rushed to hospital on Wednesday morning after experiencing acute abdominal pain following breakfast in Rajkot.
Both India and New Zealand will be hoping that some play happens in the second T20I on Sunday in front of a sell-out crowd
India coach Ravi Shastri heaped praise on pacer Jasprit Bumrah after India defeated New Zealand in the third and final…
New Zealand leg-spinner Ish Sodhi on Friday said his team will have to give their best shot to beat India…
Axar felt his style of bowling is different from Shastri, who was a left-arm spinner during his playing days
