Match Preview – India vs New Zealand( IND vs NZ ), Dream11 Prediction, 2nd T20I Match. Who Will Win, On January 23, 2026

Match Details:

• Match: India vs New Zealand( IND vs NZ ), 2nd T20I Match, New Zealand tour of India, 2026
• Date and Time: January 21,  01:30 pm GMT / 07:30 pm BD / 07:00 pm local time
• Venue: Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur

IND vs NZ Tips & Match Prediction:

Who will win the toss? – New Zealand

Who will win the match? – India

India vs New Zealand Preview:

India( IND ) is set to face New Zealand( NZ ) in their 2nd T20I match during the New Zealand tour of India, 2026. This match is scheduled to take place at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium on Friday, January 23.

After a disappointing ODI series defeat, India bounced back in style in the first T20I, kicking off the five-match series with a commanding win as they begin preparations for the T20 World Cup 2026. Batting first in Nagpur, India piled on a massive 238 for 7, powered by a sensational knock from Abhishek Sharma. The young opener smashed 84 off just 35 balls, clearing the ropes eight times and striking at a blistering rate of 240.

He was well supported by Suryakumar Yadav, who added 32 from 22 balls, while Hardik Pandya contributed a quick 25 off 16. Rinku Singh then provided the perfect finish, remaining unbeaten on 44 off 20 deliveries to push India well past the 230 mark.

India’s bowlers followed up with a disciplined display to complete a dominant all-round performance. Varun Chakravarthy picked up two wickets, and Shivam Dube also claimed two, including bowling the final over of the match. Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya chipped in with a wicket apiece, ensuring regular breakthroughs and keeping the pressure on throughout. The collective effort sealed a comprehensive 48-run victory and gave India a confident start to the series.

There was a minor concern for India, though, as Axar Patel injured his finger while attempting a caught-and-bowled chance and had to leave the field. He is unlikely to feature in the second T20I, with India expected to bring in either Harshit Rana if they opt for extra pace, or Ravi Bishnoi should they prefer another spin option.

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Despite the defeat, New Zealand showed plenty of fight in a high-scoring opening encounter. Chasing a daunting target, they lost early wickets and were immediately on the back foot. However, Glenn Phillips led a spirited counterattack with a superb 78 off 40 balls, displaying power and intent. He found good support from Mark Chapman, who struck 39 off 24, and later from Daryl Mitchell, who added a handy 28 off 18.

With the ball, New Zealand had their moments as well. Kyle Jamieson and Jacob Duffy picked up two wickets each, while Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner also got among the wickets. Although the result didn’t go their way, the performance with both bat and ball offered positives heading into the rest of the series.

New Zealand’s top-order struggles, which were evident during the ODI series, continued in this match too. Devon Conway fell early once again, leaving the side under pressure. Tim Robinson showed some intent with a quick 21, but he will be hoping for a bigger contribution in the coming games. With Tim Seifert and Finn Allen set to return from their Big Bash League commitments, Robinson faces stiff competition to hold on to his place in the playing XI.

IND vs NZ Possible Playing XI:

India: Sanju Samson(w), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah.

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

IND vs NZ Recent 5 Match Performance:

IND vs NZ Head-To-Head Records:

IND vs NZ Toss Prediction:

We’re hoping the team wins the toss and chooses to bat first.

IND vs NZ Pitch Report:

The pitch at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur generally offers a balanced contest between bat and ball. Early on, fast bowlers can extract some bounce and movement, making the powerplay a crucial period for picking up early wickets. As the game progresses, the surface tends to slow down slightly, which brings spinners into the equation and rewards batters who can rotate strike and build partnerships. In evening matches, dew can become a factor, making it harder for bowlers to grip the ball and easier for the team batting second to chase. The ground also has relatively large boundaries, so timing and placement often matter more than pure power hitting. Overall, teams that adapt quickly to the conditions and use their bowlers smartly usually come out on top in Raipur.

IND vs NZ Weather Report:

On the evening of January 23, conditions at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur are expected to be ideal for cricket. Around 7:00 PM local time, the weather should be clear and pleasant, with temperatures hovering around 22–23°C and gradually cooling as the night progresses. Humidity is likely to be moderate, so the atmosphere should feel comfortable for both players and fans. With no significant cloud cover or rain forecast, the match looks set to proceed without any weather interruptions. Overall, it should be a calm and enjoyable winter evening for a game under the lights.

Expected Scores:

1st Innings Expected Score: 165–175 runs

2nd Innings Expected Score: 155–170 runs

Key Notes:

Balanced pitch: Raipur usually offers a fair surface where both batters and bowlers can make an impact. It’s not overly flat, so the match could be won by whoever adapts better.

Early bowling advantage: Fast bowlers often get a bit of bounce and movement in the first few overs, making the powerplay crucial for both teams.

Spin comes into play: As the game progresses, spinners tend to become more effective, especially in the middle overs, where tight lines can slow down scoring.

Dew factor under lights: There’s a chance of dew later in the evening, which can make the ball slippery and give the chasing team an advantage.

Boundary size matters: The ground has relatively large boundaries, so batters will need to focus on timing and running between the wickets rather than relying purely on big hits.

170+ is a strong total: A score around 170 will be challenging to chase, while anything under 160 could become tricky to defend if the chase is well paced.

India vs New Zealand Full Squad:

India: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill(c), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul(w), Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ravindra Jadeja.

New Zealand: Devon Conway(w), Will Young, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell(c), Zakary Foulkes, Nick Kelly, Josh Clarkson, Michael Rae, Kyle Jamieson, Mitchell Hay, Adithya Ashok, Kristian Clarke, Jayden Lennox.