In a high-scoring opener to the second T20I, New Zealand rode explosive knocks from Rachin Ravindra and skipper Mitchell Santner to post 208 for 6 against India in Raipur on January 23. The total leaves Suryakumar Yadav’s side with a steep chase under the floodlights at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium.
Electing to bowl after winning the toss, India faced immediate punishment. Arshdeep Singh’s first over vanished for 18 runs as Devon Conway unleashed aggression. The left-armer’s third over repeated the damage, another 18 hammered away, as Conway and Tim Seifert laid the foundation with a 43-run powerplay stand in 3.2 overs.
Seifert’s fiery 24 off 13 (5×4) ended soon after Conway’s 19 off 9 (1×6, 3×4). Rachin Ravindra then ignited the innings, partnering Glenn Phillips for 55 off 27 balls. Phillips made 19, but Rachin exploded for 44 off 26, clearing the ropes four times.
Santner, batting at No. 7, proved the game-changer. His partnerships – 32 with Chapman (10) and an unbeaten 47 off 19 with Foulkes (15*) – lifted New Zealand to a challenging total. The pitch offered little assistance to bowlers, amplifying the batsmen’s dominance.
Bowling figures told a tale of toil: Arshdeep’s wicketless 0/53 in four overs stood out for all the wrong reasons. Kuldeep grabbed two scalps, with Pandya, Rana, Chakaravarthy, and Dube claiming one apiece. India, buoyed by a dominant first T20 win by 48 runs, now eyes a series-clinching victory to lead 2-0 in the five-game series post their ODI disappointment.
