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Raipur: The Indian cricket team delivered a spectacular performance in the second T20I against New Zealand, winning by 7 wickets and breaking multiple records in the process. Chasing a massive target of 209 runs, India achieved the total in just 15.2 overs at their home ground in Raipur, marking the 100th T20 match hosted by the team in India. Despite losing both openers cheaply, the middle-order duo of Ishan Kishan and captain Suryakumar Yadav turned the game on its head with explosive batting. Second-Biggest Successful ChaseUnder Suryakumar Yadav’s captaincy, India’s chase of 209 runs in 15.2 overs now stands as the second-largest successful T20I chase in Indian cricket history. The previous record was set in 2023 when India chased the same target against Australia. Ishan Kishan Br...

Raipur: Alarm bells are ringing for India’s wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson as his poor form in T20 cricket continues. Once considered a key player for India in the upcoming T20 World Cup, Samson’s bat has been silent during the ongoing series against New Zealand. In the first match, he managed just 10 runs, and in the second, he failed to open his account. This is not just a temporary slump; Samson has been struggling for consistency in most matches, raising serious concerns ahead of the World Cup. Trouble for Sanju SamsonSamson’s last fifty came eight innings ago, and after scoring a century against South Africa in November, he has been unable to make significant contributions. After playing over 50 T20Is, his batting average has slipped below 25. Questions are now being asked wheth...

Raipur: Ishan Kishan produced a scintillating performance in India’s second T20I against New Zealand, smashing 76 runs off just 32 balls, including 11 fours and 4 sixes. He reached his fifty in a blistering 21 balls, breaking Abhishek Sharma’s record of the fastest T20I fifty for India against New Zealand, previously set in 22 balls. Despite this sensational innings, Kishan’s place in the Indian playing XI is not guaranteed, and he may have to sit out when the fourth T20 of the series arrives. Playing XI Spot Not SecuredEven with such a dominant performance, Kishan could be sidelined if Tilak Verma returns to the squad. Tilak is a regular number 3–4 batsman for India and has been instrumental in winning matches for the team in recent times. His return would likely see him reclaim his po...

Raipur: India continued their dominant run in the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand, winning the second match by seven wickets to take a 2–0 lead in the five-match contest. Beyond the victory, Team India etched their name in the record books, breaking a milestone that Pakistan had long boasted about. Chasing a daunting 209-run target set by New Zealand, India raced to the finish line in just 15.2 overs with three wickets down. Captain Suryakumar Yadav remained unbeaten on 82 off 37 balls, while Ishan Kishan contributed a rapid 76 off 32 deliveries. The chase not only secured a comfortable win but also broke Pakistan’s record for the fastest successful chase of a 200+ run target in terms of balls remaining—a record Pakistan had long held pride in. Record-Breaking Chase with Ball...

New Delhi: Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya achieved a significant milestone during India’s seven-wicket victory over New Zealand in the second T20 International at Raipur. By featuring in his 126th T20I, Hardik moved past Virat Kohli to become the second-most capped player for India in the shortest format of the game. Although fans did not get to witness Hardik’s trademark power-hitting in the match, his presence on the field was historic. As soon as he stepped out to field, Hardik overtook Kohli, who had played 125 T20Is for India before retiring from the format. With this, only Rohit Sharma now stands ahead of Hardik in terms of T20I appearances for India. On the global stage, Hardik’s tally places him joint 13th among players with the most T20I matches. Rohit Sharma: India and Wo...

Raipur: For the first two overs of the second T20I, New Zealand were firmly in control. Chasing a daunting target of 209, India had lost both openers for just six runs and were visibly under pressure. But one tactical decision by New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner proved to be the turning point that completely changed the course of the match. India’s innings began on a shaky note. Sanju Samson, after receiving a brief lifeline, was dismissed in the very first over by Matt Henry. In-form Abhishek Sharma followed soon after, falling for a golden duck to Jacob Duffy. At 6 for 2, with the new ball doing the damage, New Zealand sensed an opportunity to tighten the grip and push India further into trouble. After two overs, India were 8 for 2. Matt Henry, known for his effectiveness with ...

Raipur: New Zealand’s misery continued in the second T20I against India, but for fast bowler Zak Foulkes, the night turned into one he would rather forget. India’s explosive batting turned Foulkes’ spell into a record-breaking nightmare, as he conceded the most expensive three-over spell in T20 International history for New Zealand. Defending a daunting target of 209 runs, the Kiwi bowlers had no answers to India’s relentless assault. While almost every New Zealand bowler was taken apart, it was Zak Foulkes who bore the brunt of the carnage. Bowling just three overs, Foulkes leaked a staggering 67 runs, setting an unwanted record as the costliest three-over spell in T20I cricket by a New Zealand bowler. This spell also stands as the most expensive three-over spell in T20I history ove...

Raipur: India produced a stunning batting masterclass to defeat New Zealand by seven wickets in the second T20I at Raipur, chasing down a massive target of 209 runs with a staggering 28 balls to spare. The emphatic win handed Team India a 2–0 lead in the five-match T20 series and marked one of the most dominant run chases in Indian T20I history. After being put in to bat first, New Zealand posted a competitive 208 for 6 on the board. India’s reply, however, began on a shaky note. Both openers—Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma—were dismissed with just six runs on the board, leaving the hosts under early pressure. What followed next was a breathtaking counter-attack led by Ishan Kishan and captain Suryakumar Yadav that completely turned the match on its head. Walking in at No. 3, Ishan ...

Raipur: After 14 long months and 23 innings of silence, the bat of Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav finally roared back to life on Friday (January 23), lighting up the Raipur sky with a breathtaking knock against New Zealand in the second T20I. Chasing the target, the much-awaited “Suraj” rose in his trademark fashion. Staying true to his “Mr 360” reputation, Suryakumar brought up his first T20I fifty in 14 months in just 23 balls, peppering the boundary with seven fours and two sixes. But the onslaught did not stop there. He continued his blistering assault and remained unbeaten on 82 off just 37 deliveries, striking nine fours and four sixes to guide India to a commanding seven-wicket victory. This innings could not have come at a better time for the Indian skipper. Ever since takin...

Raipur: Making a long-awaited return to the Indian team, Ishan Kishan delivered a breathtaking performance against New Zealand in the second T20I, smashing a 21-ball fifty and scoring a scintillating 76 to put India firmly in control of the match. India suffered an early setback, losing two wickets within the first seven balls. Walking in at No. 3 under pressure, Kishan counterattacked in spectacular fashion. He launched an assault on the New Zealand bowlers from the outset, hitting three boundaries and a six in the third over alone, and never allowed the visitors to settle. Kishan reached his half-century in just 21 deliveries, the fastest fifty by an Indian batter against New Zealand in T20 internationals, surpassing the previous record held by Abhishek Sharma. His innings came to ...