India and New Zealand are ready to face each other in the second match of the 5-match T20 series at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur, on Wednesday, January 23. This match is scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM IST. Stay tuned with our IND vs NZ prediction, team preview, pitch report, player stats and winner prediction ahead of this exciting contest.
Despite having superstars in Team India, they lost the ODI series to New Zealand, but the performance of the Indian youth brigade in the first T20 match has definitely eased the pain of the series defeat in the hearts of the fans. Under the captaincy of Suryakumar Yadav, Team India started this T20 series exactly as expected from them. In the first innings of the match itself, India put up a big total while batting, in response to which New Zealand failed to even come close. This victory puts an end to any questions surrounding Team India.
However, New Zealand will need to perform well and prove what their fans can expect from them in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026.
Head-to-Head Record: Till now, a total of 26 T20 matches have been played between these two sides, in which India performed outstandingly and won 15 games, while New Zealand has won 10. Moreover, India performed well in the recent past; they won three of the last five head-to-head games, and New Zealand won just once.
ALSO READ: Mumbai Indians IPL 2026: Auction Buys, Full Squad & Playing XI
India Preview
Team India performed brilliantly in the first match of the T20 series and proved why they are the biggest contenders to win the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026. In the last match, India posted a massive total of 238 runs while batting first, in response to which New Zealand could only manage 190 runs, and Team India won the match by 48 runs. The Indian batsmen played a major role in this spectacular victory as they batted well and took the team to this total.
Abhishek Sharma once again showcased his ability from the top order, giving Team India a quick start. However, he was dismissed after playing an explosive innings of 84 runs in 35 balls when Team India’s score was 149 in 12 overs. Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya also played a short innings of 32 and 25 runs, respectively. Rinku Singh gave a great finish to Team India’s innings, scoring 44 runs in 20 balls.
Team India also performed well in bowling as Arshdeep Singh dismissed New Zealand’s top-order batsman Devon Conway in the very first over. Lucky Varun Chakravarthy and Shivam Dube also bowled well, taking two wickets each, while Axar Patel and Hardik Pandya got one wicket each.
Tip
| Player | Tip | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Abhishek Sharma | Over 29.5 Runs | 1.85 |
Abhishek Sharma smashed a blistering 84 off just 35 balls in the last match and gave India a flying start. His fearless intent and powerplay dominance make him a strong top-order pick to cross this line again.
New Zealand Preview
New Zealand won the ODI series with a convincing performance, but failed to maintain the same performance in the T20 series, where they lost the first match by 48 runs. However, the Kiwis will once again have a chance to make a comeback in the second match.
New Zealand’s top order failed to perform well in the last match. However, in the middle order, Glenn Phillips played a brilliant innings, scoring 78 runs in 40 balls. Mark Chapman also played well, scoring 39 runs in 24 balls. Due to their good innings New Zealand stayed in the match for much longer. Daryl Mitchell scored 28, and captain Mitchell Santner made 20, but they failed to guide New Zealand to victory.
In the last match, New Zealand took two crucial wickets of India’s top order but failed to capitalise on them and could not put pressure on the Indian batters. This was a major reason why Team India managed to post a big total, although Jacob Duffy bowled brilliantly despite the high total, taking two wickets in four overs for just 27 runs. Kyle Jameson also took two wickets, but his economy rate was 13.5, and concluded a lot of runs.
Tip
| Player | Tip | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Glenn Phillips | Over 27.5 Runs | 1.85 |
Glenn Phillips played a brilliant knock of 78 off just 40 balls in the previous game. His power-hitting and fearless approach make him New Zealand’s most dangerous middle-order batter in T20s and a strong pick to cross this mark again.
IND vs NZ Probably Playing XI
India: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Suryakumar Yadav (C), Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Shivan Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy
New Zealand: Tim Robinson, Devon Conway (WK), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (C), Kristian Clarke, Kyle Jamieson, Jacob Duffy, Ish Sodhi
IND vs NZ Pitch Report
The pitch at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur, is generally considered a balanced surface. However, bowlers have a slight upper hand in the first stage of the game as the pitch offers good pace and movement. Although the pitch initially presents a challenge for the batsmen, as the match progresses, they get a chance to score good runs. Therefore, the batsmen will have to play carefully in the beginning and will get opportunities to score runs only after settling themselves.
The weather on Friday at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium, Nava Raipur is expected to be sunny, around 28°C, with 0% chance of rain, comfortable 43% humidity, and light winds near 8 km/h.
Venue T20I Statistics
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Matches | 1 |
| Matches won batting first | 1 |
| Matches won bowling first | 0 |
| Average 1st innings Score | 174 |
| Average 2nd innings Score | 154 |
| Highest total recorded | 174/9 (20 Ovs) – IND vs AUS |
| Lowest total recorded | 0/0 (0 Ovs) |
| Highest score chased | 0/0 (0 Ovs) |
| Lowest score defended | 174/9 (20 Ovs) – IND vs AUS |
IND vs NZ Winner Prediction
The Indian team started this T20 series in a great way as they achieved a big victory in the first match. Now, in the second match, they will again have a psychological advantage, which they will look to take advantage of in the second match as well. Therefore, Team India will be the favourite to win this match as well.
On the other hand, New Zealand did not perform particularly well in the first match. Especially their bowlers, who disappointed them a lot, due to which Team India scored a big total. In the second match, they will avoid making such mistakes, will try their best to win this match and make a comeback in this series.
Our Prediction: India
ALSO READ: Chennai Super Kings IPL 2026: Auction Buys, Full Squad & Playing XI
Code: TOPBK