Raipur erupted into a cricket frenzy as New Zealand unleashed a batting blitz in the second T20I against India at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium. Captain Mitchell Santner and Rachin Ravindra powered the Kiwis to a mammoth 208 for 6, setting India a daunting 209-run chase on January 23.
Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and surprisingly opted to field first, a decision that backfired early. New Zealand openers Devon Conway and Tim Seifert tore into the Indian attack. Conway smashed 18 runs off the very first over from Arshdeep Singh, including a towering six and crisp boundaries. Arshdeep’s misery continued in his third over, conceding another 18 runs as the Kiwis raced to 43 for no loss in just 3.2 overs.
Conway fell for 19 off 9 balls, but Seifert kept the momentum alive with five fours in his 24 off 13 deliveries before departing. With the score at 43 for 2 in 4.2 overs, Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips forged a brisk 55-run stand off 27 balls for the third wicket, propelling New Zealand past the 100-mark.
Phillips contributed 19 before Rachin took charge, blistering 44 off 26 balls with four sixes and two fours. The middle order wobbled, but captain Santner arrived at No. 7 and steadied the ship. He added 32 with Mark Chapman (10) and then an unbroken 47 off 19 balls with Zachary Foulkes (15*), pushing the total to an intimidating 208.
India’s bowlers struggled on a flat deck. Arshdeep was the most expensive, leaking 53 runs in four overs without a wicket at an economy of 13.20. Kuldeep Yadav shone brightest with 2 for ?, while Hardik Pandya, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Shivam Dube picked up one each.
Fresh off a 48-run win in the first T20I, India aims to seal a 2-0 series lead in this five-match rubber after losing the preceding ODI series 1-2. Can Suryakumar’s men chase down 209? The Raipur night promises fireworks.
