A crucial 69-run partnership between Tilak Varma (51* off 26) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (26 off 13) propelled India to a thrilling four-run victory over New Zealand in the second T20I, securing a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
Uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Kushagra has been added to the Indian squad for the second T20I against New Zealand as a cover for Ishan Kishan, who sustained a low-grade right adductor strain and is ruled out of the upcoming match. Kushagra, currently with the India A squad, will join the main team.
After the match, Naman Dhir also said that Abhishek's pep talk, especially the Punjabi bit pumped up the players.
New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner has made history by becoming the first bowler to take multiple four-wicket hauls against India in T20 Internationals, achieving this feat during the second T20I at Christchurch.
India boast of a superior head-to-head record against New Zealand, having won six out of the nine T20I series played against the Kiwis.
Indian opener Abhishek Sharma has made history by becoming the first batter to hit 100 sixes in the powerplay phase of a T20I innings, surpassing Rohit Sharma's record during a match against New Zealand.
Ishan Kishan's injury has left the door ajar for the 15 year old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who was seen batting during India's optional practice session on Friday.
Indian left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh has claimed the record for most wickets by an Indian bowler in T20 Internationals in a calendar year, surpassing Bhuvneshwar Kumar's previous best.
Shreyas Iyer celebrated India's thrilling T20I victory over New Zealand with an emotional hug for his parents after Sanju Samson and Namn Dhir powered a successful 226-run chase.
Former Indian captain Mohammed Azharuddin has lauded young batter Tilak Varma for his composed match-winning knock against New Zealand in the second T20I, expressing his strong desire to see Varma represent India in Test cricket.
Captain Shreyas Iyer believes the return of veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar will significantly address the Indian T20 team's lack of experience in its bowling attack, especially after recent series where new bowlers struggled.
India vice-captain Tilak Varma expressed immense pride after his unbeaten 51 off 26 balls guided India to a thrilling four-wicket victory over New Zealand in the second T20I, securing a 2-0 series lead. Varma credited head coach Gautam Gambhir and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak for their belief in his ability to finish the game.
India have added veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar as cover for Arshdeep Singh ahead of the fifth T20I against West Indies at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Indian batter Ishan Kishan ruled out of second T20I against New Zealand due to low grade right adductor strain, the BCCI said in a statement.
Former India all-rounder and coach Ravi Shastri embarked on one of the world's longest non-stop commercial flights, travelling from Dubai to Auckland for India's upcoming tour of New Zealand, praising Emirates' hospitality for making the 16-hour journey 'an absolute breeze'.
Indian skipper Shreyas Iyer's inconsistent T20I batting form will be under the spotlight as Team India commences its five-match T20I series against New Zealand in Christchurch.
Naman Dhir's unbeaten 42 off 15 balls secured a thrilling four-wicket win for India against New Zealand in the first T20I, showcasing his potential as a reliable finisher for the national side, drawing praise from cricket legends like Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravi Shastri.
India opener Sanju Samson discussed the team's strategy of "killing games in the powerplay" after his explosive 67-run knock led India to a record-breaking T20I chase against New Zealand. He highlighted the team's consistent aggressive approach, especially after their 2024 T20 World Cup victory.
Shreyas Iyer admits India feared losing their chase against New Zealand before Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy showed character to seal a thrilling T20I win.
India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak lauded openers Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma for their 'power, talent, intent' and exceptional mental control, highlighting their fearless approach despite social media pressure.
New Zealand all-rounder Glenn Phillips acknowledged India's successful chase of 226 in the first T20I, attributing their win to strong execution and adaptation. Phillips highlighted areas for improvement for his team, specifically the need to take more wickets in the middle overs and enhance fielding performance, despite defending their overall effort.
Six Games, Big Impact: Naman Dhir Catches India's Eye.
Tilak Varma starred with a match-winning fifty to power India to a thrilling victory in the second T20I against New Zealand in Christchurch on Saturday.
New Zealand has announced several squad changes for the ongoing T20I series against India, with key pacers Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry managing niggles and workload. The adjustments aim to balance player fitness with a busy summer schedule, bringing in new players like Blair Tickner and Josh Clarkson while others like Kyle Jamieson will play domestic cricket before rejoining the national team.
Shreyas Iyer-led India, unbeaten in their last two T20 series in New Zealand, will rely on their formidable batting lineup to overcome the relatively inexperienced New Zealand side in the upcoming five-match T20I series, despite having minimal time to acclimatise.
Sanju Samson continued his superb form with the bat, smashing a blistering 67 off 33 balls to power India to their highest chase in T20 cricket, overcoming a mid-innings stumble for a four-wicket win in the series-opener against New Zealand.
India's T20 captain Shreyas Iyer stated that young batting talent Vaibhav Sooryavanshi cannot immediately join the playing XI due to the consistent performance of current openers Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson, who were instrumental in India's T20I World Cup win.
'Bhuvi should be the first choice with the new ball, based on the conditions, because of the skill he possesses of swinging the ball.'
India captain Shreyas Iyer reflected on the drawn five-match T20I series against the West Indies, suggesting India could have performed better with the ball in their lost games. West Indies captain Shai Hope expressed satisfaction with his team's progress despite missing a series win. India is now set to tour New Zealand for another five-match series.
Virtual Eye will now provide the full suite of DRS technology to assist umpires and enhance the viewing experience during India's tour of New Zealand involving five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests.
Nitish Kumar Reddy opens up on managing workload and staying injury-free after helping India beat New Zealand in a thrilling second T20I.
A strong India A squad, featuring senior team members like KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal, will play New Zealand A in a four-day match starting Saturday, serving as crucial preparation for the senior team's upcoming two-Test series.
India has announced its squads for the upcoming two-Test and five-ODI series against New Zealand. Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been named in the Test squad, subject to fitness clearance, while pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah returns for the Test leg. Shubman Gill will captain the Test side and the first three ODIs, with Shreyas Iyer leading the final two ODIs.
India may rest Jasprit Bumrah for the New Zealand ODIs to keep him fresh for the crucial Test series as they chase a place in the World Test Championship final.
New Zealand paceman Jacob Duffy has acknowledged India's 15-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as an 'incredible talent' but expects home conditions to challenge the power-hitter in the upcoming Twenty20 series.
New Zealand batters Mark Chapman and Zak Foulkes have been ruled out of the upcoming T20I series against India due to injuries, with Josh Clarkson and Blair Tickner named as replacements.
India face a bowling test in the second T20I against New Zealand after conceding 226 in the opener, with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi expected to feature.
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner discussed India's young batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar ahead of the five-match T20 International series.
New Zealand recalled Adam Milne and Michael Bracewell for their upcoming T20 series against India, while Rachin Ravindra remains sidelined due to a shoulder injury sustained during a promotional shoot.
India A will play three four-day matches against New Zealand A in Christchurch starting October 24, serving as a crucial build-up for the senior Indian team's two-Test series against New Zealand later in the tour. These matches are part of New Zealand Cricket's domestic red-ball schedule.
