In this IND vs NZ today match prediction, the fourth T20I between India and New Zealand is scheduled to take place on Wednesday at the ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam. India won the third T20I match by eight wickets and won the series 3-0. New Zealand, batting first, posted a below-par total at this venue. Glenn Phillips scored 48 runs off 40 balls, while  Mark Chapman scored 32 runs off just 23 balls. 

In response, the Indian team comfortably chased down the target in just 10 overs. Indian superstar opener Abhishek Sharma scored 68 runs off 20 balls, captain Suryakumar Yadav scored 57 runs off 6 balls and helped her team to chase down the target. In the bowling department, Jasprit Bumrah took three wickets.

Also Read: West Indies tour to South Africa, 1st T20I: SA vs WI, Probable Playing 11, Where To Watch, Live Streaming Details

IND vs NZ Match Details

• Match: India vs New Zealand, 4th T20I

• Date: 28th January 2025

• Time: 7.00 PM IST

• Venue: ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam

• Live Streaming: FanCode

IND vs NZ Weather Report

Pitch Report - ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium

The pitch surface at Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium is known for being batting-friendly and conducive to high scores. Although the large boundaries create some difficulty, the ground has typically seen high totals. Additionally, dew may play a role in the second innings.

Top Batters to Watch – IND vs NZ

• Suryakumar Yadav (IND): 171 runs in this series 

• Glenn Phillips (NZ): 145 runs in this series 

• Abhishek Sharma (IND): 152 runs in this series 

Top Bowlers to Watch – IND vs NZ

• Hardik Pandya (IND): 4 wickets in this series 

• Varun Chakaravarthy IND): 3 wickets in this series 

• Shivam Dube (IND): 3 wickets in this series 

IND vs NZ Recent Form

     Winning Probability

• India: 80%

• New Zealand: 20

IND vs NZ Today Match Prediction Scenarios

Scenario 1: If IND Bat First

• Powerplay Score: 55–70

• Predicted Total: 190–220

• Match Result: IND to win

Scenario 2: If NZ Bat First

• Powerplay Score: 45–55

• Predicted Total: 175–185

• Match Result: IND to win

Who Will Hit the Most Sixes?

Who Will Hit the Most Fours?

IND vs NZ Predicted Playing XIs

India

Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan (WK), Suryakumar Yadav (C), Shreyas Iyer, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh. 

New Zealand 

Devon Conway, Tim Seifert, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips (WK), Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (C), Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy

IND vs NZ Today Match Prediction – Who Will Win Today?

According to our IND vs NZ today match prediction, India are the favourites to win this 4th T20I  match. The likes of Kuldeep Yadav, Abhishek Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav will be key players to watch out for.

IND vs NZ Match FAQs

Abhishek Sharma's remarkable performance in the third T20I against New Zealand took everyone by surprise; the New Zealand players included. Sunday in Guwahati, Sharma hit everything on the ground. The aggressive style of hitting allowed him to clear the 50-run mark with many balls remaining during his innings. The remarkable display was evident when New Zealand's team responded with surprised laughter and a level of disbelief at the timing, and shots he created during the innings.

The funny moment of the New Zealand players conducting an inspection of Sharma's bat from mid-pitch has captured the attention of cricket fans worldwide. The video clip has since been widely circulated online, showing captain Mitchell Santner, Devon Conway, and Jacob Duffy inspecting Sharma's bat, looking amused while doing so. Their reaction or laughter while inspecting the bat looked like an amused way of expressing admiration for Sharma's excellence and talent. But as funny as this moment was, it highlighted the level of respect and disbelief generated during the cricket community since he began playing internationally.

See Also: Know dates and Venues for warm up matches of India for upcoming T20 World Cup 2026

The incident also evoked memories of one of Indian cricket’s most talked-about legends. Fans recalled the 2003 World Cup final, when urban myths suggested that Ricky Ponting had used a “spring bat” to devastate India’s bowlers. Two decades later, Abhishek Sharma’s record-breaking blitz has sparked similar jokes and amazement, though it is simply a testament to a young cricketer at the peak of his powers. His combination of timing, strength, and fearless stroke play continues to redefine T20 batting, leaving fans and opponents alike mesmerized.

Watch the video here;

Yesterday, New Zealand players were checking Abhishek Sharma’s bat after the match.

I don't recall any other player’s bat being checked like this

The last time I remember opposition players checking a bat was during Sachin Tendulkar's era

pic.twitter.com/SEgwHktqcn

— Space Recorder (@1spacerecorder) January 26, 2026

India chased down 154 runs target in 10 overs 

Chasing a modest 154, Abhishek Sharma transformed the contest into a one-sided spectacle with a breathtaking assault. The left-hander raced to a half-century in just 14 balls, the second-fastest by an Indian in T20Is, narrowly missing Yuvraj Singh’s famous 2007 mark. What stood out even more was his flawless approach — Abhishek didn’t face a single dot ball, finishing unbeaten on 68 from only 20 deliveries. Alongside Suryakumar Yadav’s rapid 57, India completed the chase in exactly 10 overs.

The emphatic win handed India an unassailable 3-0 advantage in the five-match series and underlined their dominance. New Zealand batter Mark Chapman later lauded Abhishek, calling his six-hitting prowess “second to none.” The Punjab opener, who first grabbed attention with his fearless IPL batting, now owns a staggering T20I strike rate of 195.22. As India gear up to defend their T20 World Cup crown, Abhishek has made it clear the real threat isn’t the bat — it’s the batter.

With a meteoric rise, Abhishek Sharma has become one of India’s hottest prospects in the T20 format of the game. The left-handed batter debuted in 2024 and has quickly become entrenched as a key member of the Indian T20 team delivering consistent, high-impact performances since his arrival. His aggressive playing style, calmness under pressure, and ability to change the outcome of a game have been clearly demonstrated through his play and high level of performance. As a result, Abhishek has captured the imagination of fans and analysts alike. His fearless competence at the crease coupled with his ability to capitalize on key opportunities make him an invaluable asset in the T20. Consequently, he has emerged as a bright young star in the international cricket arena.

In an astonishingly brief career thus far, Abhishek has begun to etch his name into the record books in India when it comes to the T20 format. Abhishek possesses a unique combination of power, timing, and flexibility that ensures that he imposes his will on bowlers regardless of the style of bowling or conditions. He can change the tempo of the game during a powerplay or bring his team home at the end, showcasing not only his ability to perform at the highest levels of T20 cricket but also why he is one of the key components to the future success of Indian T20 cricket, potentially becoming an all-time great in the format. The talismanic batter will also be crucial for India's chances in T20 World Cup 2026.

See Also: 3 reasons why Ishan Kishan should bat at No. 3 in the ongoing IND vs NZ 2026 T20Is

1. Explosive Scoring and Match-Winning Ability

The ability of Abhishek to accelerate run production and swing the momentum of a match in an instant is perhaps one of the most important aspects of why he is regarded as one of the greatest T20I batter in Indian cricket history. His high individual scores have consistently featured colossal innings, including two significant milestones in his unbeaten 84 off 35 balls against New Zealand and his phenomenal 135 off 54 balls against England, which is the highest individual score ever made by an Indian batter in T20 International matches. These types of innings are not only productive in terms of scoring runs, but they can break down a bowling attack through his approach and execution with both power and precision. He has consistently demonstrated a strike rate in excess of 190 — a clear indication of his times of devastation as well as his early domination, particularly during the power play phase of an inning, when scoring quick runs establishes the base for India's batting performance.

The fact that Abhishek has continued to score boundaries and clear the ropes consistently has solidified his place within the upper echelon of the game, frequently breaking records held by the greatest names in the history of the game. Furthermore, he has demonstrated on multiple occasions that when India is in need of solid innings to provide momentum or stability while under duress, his ability to come through with large innings has proven to be a key factor in establishing numerous close matches in favour of India, thereby solidifying his standing as an elite white ball performer.

2. Record-Breaking Achievements at a Young Age

Abhishek is an emerging cricket sensation with lots of accumulated achievements. He is one of the fastest Indian players to reach 1,000 runs in T20Is, but that isn't why he's legendary. He quickly rose through the ICC T20I batting ranks to the very top and achieved more points than any previous T20I batter has ever achieved. His high ICC T20I rating proves he has consistently performed at a very high level, which means he consistently delivers exceptional performances regardless of the opponents or conditions.

Abhishek has a number of Indian record-holder accomplishments. Most sixes hit in a single T20I innings by a north Indian and hitting the second-fastest T20I century in terms of number of balls it took to get to the century. Scoring 100 runs off of 37 balls against England demonstrates both raw talent and skills developed from playing under pressure. Abhishek's records illustrate his dominance and hint at a future path of breaking historic records and benchmarks set by Indian cricket legends such as Rohit Sharma and Virender Sehwag.

3. Versatility and Impact Across Conditions

Abhishek’s effectiveness isn’t confined to batting alone; his athleticism and cricketing intelligence enhance his overall contribution to the team. Whether it’s an attacking start against pace, deft placement against spin, or quick running between wickets, his game adapts seamlessly to match situations. His strike rate against bowlers of all types — from quicks to spinners — remains exceptional, and he consistently changes the momentum of games in India’s favour.

His performances in major series and multi-nation events amplify his impact. For instance, his match-winning innings helped India dominate in bilateral series and assert control in crunch encounters. This level of influence — shaping how games unfold and lifting the team out of precarious situations — is a trait shared by the greatest batters. As Abhishek’s career progresses, his ability to sustain high standards and evolve will further cement his place among India’s T20 legends.

In just a few years, Abhishek Sharma has already rewritten how T20 batting excellence is measured in India. His blend of power, consistency, and big-match temperament provides a compelling case for why he may be regarded as India’s greatest T20I batter, even while still early in his international journey.

The third T20I of the India vs New Zealand 2026 series is now over. India completely dominated New Zealand to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match T20I series.

Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and chose to bowl first at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati. The Indian bowlers delivered a strong performance and restricted the Blackcaps to 153/9 in 20 overs.

While chasing 154, India lost Sanju Samson on the very first ball. However, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and Suryakumar Yadav launched a brutal attack on the New Zealand bowlers. The trio guided India to 155/2 in just 10 overs.

The fans at the ACA Stadium witnessed one of the most thrilling run chases in T20I history. Here is a look at the top five records and milestones from the match.

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1. Abhishek Sharma breaks Hardik Pandya’s record

A few weeks ago, Hardik Pandya hit a 16-ball half-century against South Africa. It became the fastest T20I fifty by an Indian on home soil. Abhishek Sharma broke this record by scoring a half-century in just 14 balls against New Zealand in Guwahati. The overall record for the fastest T20I fifty by an Indian still belongs to Yuvraj Singh. He scored a 12-ball fifty against England in Durban in 2007.

2. Abhishek Sharma breaks his own record

Last year, Abhishek Sharma set a record for the fastest T20I fifty by an Indian opener. He reached 50 in 17 balls against England at the Wankhede Stadium.

This year, he broke his own record by reaching the milestone in only 14 balls. It will be very hard for any Indian opener to break this record soon.

3. Suryakumar Yadav overtakes Virat Kohli on the elite list

Suryakumar Yadav became India’s full-time T20I captain after the 2024 T20 World Cup. He has done a great job as captain, winning 33 matches in just 39 games.

With the win against New Zealand in Guwahati, Suryakumar overtook Virat Kohli, who had 32 wins. Now, he is only behind MS Dhoni (42 wins) and Rohit Sharma (50 wins) on the all-time list.

4. Fastest 150+ chase against a Test-playing nation in T20Is

India chased the 154-run target in just 10 overs at the ACA Stadium. This is now the fastest chase of a 150+ target against a Test-playing nation in T20I cricket.

The overall fastest 150+ chase, including non-Test-playing teams, is held by Australia. They chased 154 runs in 9.4 overs against Scotland in a bilateral series.

5. Abhishek Sharma breaks Rohit Sharma’s record

This was the third time Abhishek Sharma scored a T20I half-century in the powerplay overs. He now holds the record for the most T20I fifties for India in the first six overs.

Earlier, Abhishek shared this record with Rohit Sharma, who had two powerplay fifties. After this match, Abhishek is the sole holder of the record.

Hosts India comfortably secured the five-match T20I series against New Zealand after thrashing the visitors in the third game at Guwahati on Sunday night (January 25), as they secured a 3–0 lead in the series. 

After India sent the Blackcaps to bat first, the visitors were restricted to 153/9 in 20 overs. In reply, India chased down the target in just 10 overs after losing two wickets. 

Indian bowlers dominated from powerplay

Blackcaps top-order batting suffered collapse, as they lost first three wickets for only 34 runs inside the powerplay. Glenn Phillips and Mark Chapman had a 52-run partnership for the fourth wicket to settle the innings, but once their partnership was broken, they failed to secure a challenging total. While Chapman scored 32 runs, Phillips scored 48 runs. 

Captain Mitchell Santner was the only other visiting batter to manage the 20-run mark in that by scoring crucial 27 off 17 balls with three fours and one six. 

Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah picked up three wickets, as he had the bowling figures of 4-0-17-3. Meanwhile, Ravi Bishnoi (2/18) and Hardik Pandya (2/23) got two wickets each, and Harshit Rana (1/35) set up the first wicket of the match.

Twitter Reactions: Abhishek Sharma celebrates India’s second fastest T20I half-century in IND vs NZ 3rd T20I

Abhishek Sharma recorded second-fastest T20I fifty for India

In reply, opener Sanju Samson scored a golden duck, but it couldn't affect the hosts innings. Another opener Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan had a quickfirer 53-run partnership for the second wicket in just 19 balls, where Ishan was dismissed after scoring 28 off 13 balls with three fours and two sixes. 

On the other hand, Abhishek Sharma slammed a 14-ball fifty to record the second-fastest T20I half-century for India, as the opening batter scored 68 not out off just 20 balls with seven fours and five sixes. Meanwhile, the skipper Suryakumar Yadav slammed 57 not out off 26 balls with six fours and three sixes. 

Abhishek Sharma seemed to be batting on a different planet as he celebrated the second fastest half-century for India in T20Is off just 14 deliveries as he hooked the short ball from Jacob Duffy on the final delivery of the powerplay, where India posted 94 runs for the loss of two wickets in the chase of 154 runs. 

Abhishek went past Hardik Pandya’s 16-ball half-century that the all-rounder recorded in just 16 deliveries against the South Africa side in Ahmedabad by the end of 2025. The southpaw hardly batted for a less than 300 strike rate since facing five balls in the knock.

See Also: Watch: Sanju Samson dismissed for golden duck during IND vs NZ 3rd T20I

India, and more specifically Sanju Samson, experienced the worst start with the bat as the wicket-keeper batter was dismissed for a first-ball duck. But Ishan Kishan and Abhishek continued their aggressive approach with the bat and put up a 53-run second-wicket stand in just 19 balls.

Abhishek Sharma celebrated fifty in just 14 balls

New Zealand continued to miss opportunities with the bat as they could post only 153 runs in their allotted 20 overs for the loss of nine wickets with their leader, Mitchell Santner, giving them a decent contribution of 27 runs in 17 balls.

WTF 🤯

Abhishek Sharma smashed fifty from just 14 balls & the shot control is 100%. This is freak. pic.twitter.com/rO8ziVjxCq

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 25, 2026

Abhishek Sharma smashed the second-fastest fifty by an Indian in T20Is, only behind the great Yuvraj Singh ⚡ pic.twitter.com/uGOwcmFOis

— CRICKETNMORE (@cricketnmore) January 25, 2026

FASTEST FIFTY – RECORD LIST ⚡🔥

🚀 Abhishek Sharma: 50 off 14 balls vs NZ (2026)
📜 Quickest 50 vs Full Member teams:
1️⃣ 12b – Yuvraj Singh vs ENG (2007)
2️⃣ 13b – Jan Frylinck vs ZIM (2025)
3️⃣ 14b – Colin Munro vs SL (2016)
4️⃣ 14b – Abhishek Sharma vs NZ (2026)

Elite club.… pic.twitter.com/e8hEBmipuV

— Film To Finale (@FilmtoFinale) January 25, 2026

Abhishek Sharma scores second fastest 50 by an Indian 💥#indvsnz #viratkohli #rohitsharma #shubmangill #bharatarmy #COTI 🇮🇳 #rishabhpant #jaspritbumrah #dhoni pic.twitter.com/OYU2AXnQmE

— The Bharat Army (@thebharatarmy) January 25, 2026

Abhishek Sharma just scored a fifty of just 14 balls, nah man this is getting tough day by day 💔pic.twitter.com/Jw2Lkjhqed

— TukTuk Academy (@TukTuk_Academy) January 25, 2026

Most times Scored 50+ Runs in a Powerplay in a T20I Innings (Full Members)

3 - Abhishek Sharma v (🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇱🇰🇳🇿)
2 - Colin Munro v (🏝️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿)
2 - Johnson Charles (🇮🇳🇿🇦)
2 - Rohit Sharma v (🇳🇿🇦🇺)
2 - Travis Head v (🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿)#INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/lSm0svXsoL

— CricBeat (@Cric_beat) January 25, 2026

Second-fastest fifty by an Indian, only behind Yuvraj Singh’s iconic 12-ball fifty, which featured six sixes.

Abhishek brought up the milestone in just 14 deliveries.

pic.twitter.com/Me1K0NctVZ

— Cricketopia (@CricketopiaCom) January 25, 2026

The third T20I between India and New Zealand is scheduled to take place on Sunday at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati. India won the second T20I match by seven wickets against New Zealand and leads the series 2-0. New Zealand, batting first, posted a strong total of 209 runs in the 20 overs. New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner smashed 47 runs off 27 balls, while finisher Rachin Ravindra scored 44 runs off just 26 balls. 

In response, the Indian team comfortably chased down the target in just 15.2 overs. Ishan Kishan scored 76 runs off 32 balls, captain Suryakumar Yadav scored 82 runs off 37 balls and helped her team to chase down the target. In the bowling department, Arshdeep Singh continues to rattle up the top order of New Zealand with his swing bowling.

Also Read: U19 World Cup 2026, Match 24: IND U19 vs NZ U19 head-to-head, pitch report and predicted playing XIs

IND vs NZ Match Details

• Match: India vs New Zealand, 3rd T20I

• Date: 25th January 2025

• Time: 7.00 PM IST

• Venue: Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati

• Live Streaming: FanCode

IND vs NZ Weather Report

IND vs NZ Pitch Report

At Barsapara Cricket Stadium, batters have generally been favoured by the pitch, which leads to high-scoring matches being common. Bowlers who vary their pace have been successful, particularly when teams bat first.

Top Batters to Watch – IND vs NZ

• Suryakumar Yadav (IND): 114 runs in this series 

• Glenn Phillips (NZ): 97 runs in this series 

• Abhishek Sharma (IND): 84 runs in this series 

Top Bowlers to Watch – IND vs NZ

• Jacob Duffy (NZ): 3 wickets in this series 

• Varun Chakaravarthy IND): 3 wickets in this series 

• Shivam Dube (IND): 3 wickets in this series 

IND vs NZ Recent Form

     Winning Probability

• India: 70%

• New Zealand: 30%

IND vs NZ Today Match Prediction Scenarios

Scenario 1: If IND Bat First

• Powerplay Score: 55–65

• Predicted Total: 185–200

• Match Result: IND to win

Scenario 2: If NZ Bat First

• Powerplay Score: 45–55

• Predicted Total: 170–180

• Match Result: IND to win

Who Will Hit the Most Sixes?

Who Will Hit the Most Fours?

IND vs NZ Predicted Playing XIs

India

Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav 

New Zealand 

Devon Conway (wk), Tim Seifert, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (c), Kyle Jamieson, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy, Kristian Clarke

IND vs NZ Today Match Prediction – Who Will Win Today?

We predict that India will win the 3rd T20I match. The likes of Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav will be key players to watch out for.

IND vs NZ Match FAQs

The second T20I between India and New Zealand is scheduled to take place on Friday at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur. India won the first T20I match by 48 runs against New Zealand and leads the series 1-0. Batting first, they posted a strong total of 238 runs in the 20 overs. Indian hard-hitting opening batsman Abhishek Sharma smashed 84 runs off 35 balls, while finisher Rinku Singh scored 44 runs off just 20 balls. 

In response, New Zealand failed to chase down the target and scored 190 runs in 20 overs. Glenn Phillips scored 78 runs off 40 balls, Mark Chapman scored 39 runs off 24 balls but they were not able to chase down the target. With the ball, New Zealand had some bright moments. Kyle Jamieson picked up 2 wickets, while Jacob Duffy also claimed 2, bowling with control early on. Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner chipped in with a wicket each. 

Also Read: IND vs NZ, 2nd T20I: Head-to-head, pitch report & predicted playing XIs

IND vs NZ Match Details

• Match: India vs New Zealand, 2nd T20I

• Date: 23rd January 2025

• Time: 7.00 PM IST

• Venue: Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium

• Live Streaming: FanCode

IND vs NZ Weather Report

IND vs NZ Pitch Report

The Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur is a well-balanced track that benefits both batsmen and bowlers. T20 matches played at this venue have an average first innings score of around 150-160.

Top Batters to Watch – IND vs NZ

• Abhishek Sharma (IND): 84 runs in this series 

• Glenn Phillips (NZ): 78 runs in this series 

• Rinku Singh (IND): 44 runs in this series 

Top Bowlers to Watch – IND vs NZ

• Jacob Duffy (NZ): 2 wickets in this series 

• Varun Chakaravarthy IND): 2 wickets in this series 

• Shivam Dube (IND): 2 wickets in this series 

IND vs NZ Recent Form

     Winning Probability

• India: 65

• New Zealand: 35%

IND vs NZ Today Match Prediction Scenarios

Scenario 1: If IND Bat First

• Powerplay Score: 50–60

• Predicted Total: 180–195

• Match Result: IND to win

Scenario 2: If NZ Bat First

• Powerplay Score: 45–50

• Predicted Total: 165–175

• Match Result: IND to win

Who Will Hit the Most Sixes?

Who Will Hit the Most Fours?

IND vs NZ Predicted Playing XIs

India

Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana

New Zealand 

Devon Conway (wk), Tim Robinson, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (c), Kyle Jamieson, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy, Kristian Clarke

IND vs NZ Today Match Prediction – Who Will Win Today?

We predict that India will win the 2nd T20I match. The likes of Abhishek Sharma, Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah will be key players to watch out for.

IND vs NZ Match FAQs

India and New Zealand will meet again in the second T20I of the five-match series at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur, on Friday, January 23.

India take confidence from a dominant win in the first T20I at Nagpur. Batting first, the hosts piled up a massive total, powered by an explosive innings from Abhishek Sharma. The middle order also played useful roles before the bowlers kept New Zealand under pressure throughout the chase. With that win, India now lead the series 1–0.

New Zealand will be keen to bounce back quickly. They struggled early in the chase after losing key wickets, and although Glenn Phillips showed resistance, the target proved too steep. The visitors will look for a stronger start with the bat and a better showing from their bowlers to level the series.

IND vs NZ: Pitch Report

The Raipur pitch usually plays on the slower side. Bowlers varying their pace might find success here, especially in the middle overs. If the batsmen get set early on, big scores are still possible. Winning the toss and choosing to bat first may be a good strategy.

IND vs NZ: Head-to-Head Record (T20Is)

• Matches Played: 26
• India Won: 13
• New Zealand Won: 10
• Tied / No Result: 3

See Also: BBL 2025-26 Challenger: HUR vs STA head-to-head, pitch report & predicted playing XIs

IND vs NZ: Predicted Playing XIs

India (IND):

Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah

New Zealand (NZ):

Daryl Mitchell, Tim Robinson, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Devon Conway (wk), Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner (c), Kristian Clarke, Kyle Jamieson, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy