India's Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav bump their fists during the second Twenty20 international cricket match between India and New Zealand at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International cricket Stadium in Raipur on January 23, 2026. (Photo by Dibyangshu SARKAR / AFP)
Raipur: India continued their dominant run in the T20 series, defeating New Zealand in the second match to take 2-0 lead. A brilliant innings from Ishan Kishan, followed by a composed finish from skipper Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube, ensured India chased down a challenging target of 209 with ease.
After losing both openers cheaply to slump to 6 for 2, Ishan and Suryakumar produced a masterful 122-run partnership that steadied the innings. Ishan played the aggressor, scoring 76 off 32 balls, while Suryakumar rediscovered his form with a fluent half-century. Suryakumar went on to score 82* from 37 balls, with Dube contributing 36* off 18 deliveries, both remaining unbeaten as India completed the chase losing just three wickets.
New Zealand had earlier posted 208 for 6 after a strong start from their openers. They dominated the powerplay and maintained a high run rate, with contributions from the middle and lower order helping them cross the 200-run mark.
