India and New Zealand meet in the second T20I at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on 24 October with the visitors leading the five-match series 1-0. India won the opener by five runs after scoring 230/6, with Sanju Samson named Player of the Match for his 67 from 33 balls.
India vs New Zealand 2nd T20I: match details
- Date: Saturday, 24 October 2026.
- Venue: Hagley Oval, Christchurch.
- Start: 12:30 PM IST.
- Series position: India lead 1-0.
Ishan Kishan ruled out
Ishan Kishan has been ruled out of the second T20I after sustaining a low-grade right adductor strain. The BCCI medical team is monitoring his recovery, leaving India to reorganise the top order and wicketkeeping options.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi back in contention
Kishan's absence could open a place for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The young left-hander offers powerplay aggression and can restore a left-right combination alongside Samson, although India could also adjust the middle order and promote another established batter.
New Zealand seek a sharper finish
New Zealand came within one hit of chasing 231 in the opener. Glenn Phillips' unbeaten 82 kept the hosts alive, while Finn Allen supplied early momentum. Captain Mitchell Santner will want a more controlled bowling performance before returning to a venue where seam movement and the larger boundaries can influence tactics.
Probable playing XIs
India: Sanju Samson (wk), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma, Naman Dhir, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.
New Zealand: Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner (c), Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy.
Playing XIs are projections and remain subject to the toss and final fitness checks.
Key contest
India's new opening combination against New Zealand's new-ball attack is the clearest tactical question. At the other end, India's bowlers must find a plan for Phillips after his unbeaten 82 in the first match. Hagley Oval's pace and dimensions should make powerplay wickets and boundary protection especially important.
Sources
- BCCI: India squad for the New Zealand T20I series
- BCCI Match Centre: second T20I
- ICC Match Centre: New Zealand vs India
- Cricbuzz: Ishan Kishan injury update
Match details, squad information and the injury update were checked against the cited sources on 23 October 2026.