IND vs NZ: Zak Foulkes Endures Record-Breaking Nightmare as India Tear Apart New Zealand in 2nd T20I

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 overall. The previous record was held by Serbia’s Aleksandar Dizija, who conceded 63 runs in three overs against Bulgaria in 2022, while South Africa’s Lizard Williams had gone for 62 runs against England in 2025. Across all T20 cricket, only one bowler has conceded more in three overs—Northamptonshire’s Liam Guthrie, who gave away 68 runs in the 2025 T20 Blast.

Foulkes was introduced into the attack in the third over and was immediately taken to task. In his first over, Ishan Kishan smashed three fours and a six, collecting 24 runs. The punishment intensified in his second over, where captain Suryakumar Yadav unleashed his trademark 360-degree strokeplay, hammering four boundaries and a six as the over went for 25 runs. By the time Foulkes returned for his third over, the damage was already done—India added another 18 runs, taking his final figures to a brutal 3-0-67-0.

The onslaught from Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav left New Zealand completely rattled. Kishan’s blistering start set the tone, while Suryakumar ensured there was no respite. Ironically, Foulkes nearly had a moment of relief in his final over when he induced a chance off Suryakumar’s bat, but captain Mitchell Santner spilled a straightforward catch, summing up New Zealand’s night in the field.

With this spell, Foulkes surpassed a six-year-old New Zealand record. The previous worst belonged to Ben Wheeler, who conceded 64 runs in 3.1 overs against Australia in Auckland in 2018. That unwanted mark has now been eclipsed in emphatic fashion.

India went on to chase down the 209-run target in just the 16th over, sealing a seven-wicket victory and taking a commanding 2–0 lead in the five-match series. For New Zealand, it was another tough evening—but for Zak Foulkes, it was a harsh reminder of how unforgiving T20 cricket can be on a day when everything goes wrong.