IND vs NZ 2nd T20I: Pitch Report, Weather & Playing XI

The second match of the five-match T20I series between India and New Zealand will be played today, Friday, January 23, at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur. After a dominant win in the first T20I, India will aim to take a 2-0 lead, while New Zealand will look to stage a strong comeback.

IND vs NZ 2nd T20I Match Preview

India and New Zealand face off in the second T20 International of the ongoing five-match series. The Indian team, coming off a 48-run victory in the first T20I, will enter the match with confidence and momentum. On the other hand, New Zealand will be determined to level the series and keep their campaign alive.

Raipur Pitch Report: What to Expect

The Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur is relatively new when it comes to men’s T20 Internationals. So far, only one men’s T20I has been played at this venue — in December 2023 between India and Australia.

In that match, India successfully defended a total of 174 runs, with spin bowlers playing a crucial role.

Pitch Behaviour

• The surface offers good bounce early on, which could assist fast bowlers.

• As the match progresses, the pitch tends to slow down, bringing spinners and slower deliveries into play.

• Batting may be easier in the initial overs, but smart shot selection will be required during the middle overs.

Weather Report: Ideal Conditions for Cricket

The weather during the India vs New Zealand 2nd T20I is expected to remain clear and pleasant.

• No rain forecast, ensuring a full 40-over match

• Evening temperature likely between 20°C and 25°C

• Humidity levels expected to remain normal, providing comfortable playing conditions

Overall, conditions are expected to be perfect for cricket.

IND vs NZ: Probable Playing XI

India (IND)

• Abhishek Sharma

• Sanju Samson (Wicketkeeper)

• Suryakumar Yadav (Captain)

• Ishan Kishan

• Shivam Dube

• Hardik Pandya

• Rinku Singh

• Axar Patel

• Arshdeep Singh

• Varun Chakravarthy

• Jasprit Bumrah

New Zealand (NZ)

• Tim Robinson

• Devon Conway (Wicketkeeper)

• Rachin Ravindra

• Glenn Phillips

• Mark Chapman

• Daryl Mitchell

• Mitchell Santner (Captain)

• Christian Clarke

• Kyle Jamieson

• Ish Sodhi

• Jacob Duffy

Conclusion

The second T20I between India and New Zealand in Raipur promises to be a closely contested encounter. With India carrying strong momentum after a dominant win in the series opener, the hosts will be eager to seal a 2–0 lead. However, New Zealand have the firepower and experience to bounce back and level the series.

The Raipur pitch, which tends to slow down as the match progresses, could bring spinners and all-rounders into play, while clear weather ensures a full, uninterrupted contest. With both teams likely to field balanced XIs, fans can expect a high-intensity clash where smart tactics in the middle overs may decide the outcome.