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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Abhishek Sharma
Sanju Samson (Wicketkeeper)
Suryakumar Yadav (Captain)
Ishan Kishan
Shivam Dube
Hardik Pandya
Rinku Singh
Axar Patel
Arshdeep Singh
Varun Chakravarthy
Jasprit Bumrah
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.