Raipur – A target of 209 looked awkward once India slipped to 6 for 2, yet the hosts still wrapped up the second T20I with 28 balls unused. Ishan Kishan’s audacious 76 from 32 deliveries set the tone; Suryakumar Yadav’s unbeaten 82 off 37 finished the job and nudged India 2-0 ahead in the five-match series.
Kishan cracked 11 fours and four sixes, turning trouble into advantage inside the powerplay. His burst, plus Suryakumar’s clean finish, produced a third-wicket partnership of 122 in only 49 balls. New Zealand had few answers once the pair settled.
“I didn’t know what Ishan had in the afternoon for lunch or what pre-workout he had before the game, but I have never seen anyone bat [like that],” Suryakumar said at the presentation. “At 6 for 2, batting that way, ending the powerplay around 67, 70 [75 for 2], I think it was incredible.”
He added: “I think this is what we want from batters going out there, to express themselves, be happy in their own space, and that’s what he did today.”
Even so, Suryakumar admitted to a brief flash of irritation while watching the fireworks from the non-striker’s end. “I was angry he didn’t give me strike in the powerplay, but that’s okay,” he laughed. “I had some time, played 8 balls, 10 balls, and I knew later on when I have time, then I can cover it up [make up the scoring rate].”
That he duly did. The 82* ended a 23-innings wait for a T20I fifty, though the right-hander has repeatedly insisted the lean run was about results rather than touch. A fortnight at home between the South Africa series and this one appears to have cleared his head.
“As I said before also, I was batting really well in the nets, and everything which I did back home in the last 2 or 3 weeks [helped], I got a good break to spend time with my family, my friends,” he explained. “I think I had good practice sessions as well, and I think I’m enjoying what’s happening right now.”
India’s record since lifting the 2024 T20 World Cup now reads 31 wins from 36 completed matches. With the next global tournament less than a month away, inevitable chat about momentum is building, though Suryakumar prefers to keep the mood light.
“Let’s keep it that way,” he replied when asked if India might be intimidating opponents. “I’m really enjoying what’s happening right now. The mood in the camp is very happy.”
And the captain wants it to stay so. “I want to keep them in their happy space. We want to continue playing the same brand of cricket, irrespective of what’s happening [with results] and leave no stones unturned.”
For New Zealand, early wickets felt like a breakthrough, yet the visitors were soon chasing leather again. Their bowlers aimed for hard length but stray offerings disappeared into the night sky, the short straight boundaries accentuating every mis-hit. Captain Tim Southee will need plans B and C before the third fixture in Nagpur.
India, meanwhile, appear content. Shubman Gill and Ruturaj Gaikwad both fell cheaply, yet the middle order still cruised. If Kishan and Suryakumar can maintain anything close to this tempo, opposition attacks will have little margin for error during the run-in to the World Cup.
The next contest arrives in two days’ time. For now, India have a cushion, New Zealand have questions, and the series retains just enough time for a twist—provided someone can find a way to halt Kishan’s carefree assault.
