India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, will look to continue their winning momentum when they face New Zealand, led by Mitchell Santner, in the second T20I of the ongoing five-match series. The upcoming contest will take place at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur on Friday, January 23.
India opened the T20I series with a 48-run win over New Zealand in Nagpur on January 21. They set a 239-run target and restricted the visitors to 190/7 to take a 1-0 lead. While India dominated with bat and ball, the Black Caps will be hoping to bounce back with the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 less than 20 days away.
This article will cover the IND vs NZ second T20I match prediction, including toss prediction, score forecast, top batter and bowler picks, and insights on who is likely to win the upcoming clash.
IND vs NZ Match Prediction: Who Will Win 2nd T20I?
Match Details:
Match: India vs New Zealand, 2nd T20I
Date: January 23, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM IST
Venue: Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur
Live Streaming: Jio Hotstar
Live Broadcast: Star Sports Network
IND vs NZ Match Prediction, Head-to-Head Record
India have a clear edge over New Zealand in T20I head-to-head contests ahead of the second T20I. The two sides have faced each other 26 times in the format, with India winning 15 matches compared to New Zealand’s 10, while one game ended in a tie.
India have also enjoyed more success in recent encounters, including a win in the series opener, and their home record boosts their confidence. However, New Zealand have shown in the past that they can challenge India on their day, making the contest competitive despite India’s statistical advantage.
Pitch Report & Conditions
The surface at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium is expected to offer a balanced contest. Batters can score freely early on, but the larger boundaries may bring spinners and pacers into play. Teams batting first could look to post a competitive total and use the conditions.
IND vs NZ Weather Report
Weather conditions in Raipur are likely to remain clear, ensuring a full match without interruptions. The game will begin around 19:00 local time, with temperatures near 22°C before dropping closer to 15°C later in the evening. Dew could settle in during the second innings.
IND vs NZ Match Prediction, Probable XIs
India and New Zealand are unlikely to make major changes to their playing XIs for the second T20I. With the series still in its early phase, both sides may prefer continuity rather than reacting to a single performance. Any changes, if at all, are expected only in case of fitness issues.
India Playing XI: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh
New Zealand Playing XI: Tim Robinson, Devon Conway (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (c), Kristian Clarke, Kyle Jamieson, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy
Toss Impact
Winning the toss could play a key role in Raipur. Captains may prefer to bat first and put runs on the board, especially with the pitch expected to slow down later. However, the possibility of dew may tempt teams to chase.
Form and Fitness
New Zealand have a few fitness concerns ahead of the match, with the team closely monitoring Michael Bracewell and Adam Milne before. For India, Axar Patel left the field during the previous game due to a finger injury, and his condition will be watched closely.
Score Prediction
A first-innings total in the range of 180 to 200 should be competitive at the Raipur venue. Batting sides will need to manage the middle overs well to avoid losing momentum and set up a strong finish.
IND vs NZ: Players to Perform Prediction
India: Abhishek Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah
New Zealand: Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner, Jacob Duffy
IND vs NZ: Best Batsman Prediction
Who will score the most runs for India in the match?
Abhishek Sharma or Suryakumar Yadav
Who will score the most runs for New Zealand in the match?
Glenn Phillips or Mark Chapman
IND vs NZ: Best Bowler Prediction
Who will pick the most wickets for India in the match?
Varun Chakravarthy or Jasprit Bumrah
Who will pick the most wickets for New Zealand in the match?
Jacob Duffy or Mitchell Santner
Conclusion: Who Will Win the IND vs NZ 2nd T20I?
India go into the match as favourites, but if New Zealand execute their plans well, they have the potential to push India and keep the contest close.
Also read: “He doesn’t want to bat against…”: Arshdeep Singh EXPOSES Abhishek Sharma
