India Stun New Zealand With Record-Breaking T20 Chase In Raipur

Fans at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur witnessed a T20 spectacle on January 23, 2026, as India stormed to a record chase against New Zealand, clinching a commanding seven-wicket win and taking a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. The night was one for the history books, with Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan orchestrating a breathtaking pursuit of 209 runs, making the Kiwi bowlers look all but helpless in the face of India’s relentless aggression.

Coming into this second T20I, India had momentum on their side after a win in Nagpur, but there were notable changes in the lineup. Jasprit Bumrah was rested, and Axar Patel was sidelined due to an injury sustained in the previous match. In their places, Harshit Rana and Kuldeep Yadav joined the playing XI. Suryakumar Yadav, leading the side, explained at the toss, "We will look to bowl first. Already there is a bit of dew out there; we haven't chased in a while, so I want to chase tonight. Axar is missing out because he got hit in the last game. Bumrah is resting. Harshit and Kuldeep come in."

On the other side, New Zealand’s captain Mitchell Santner made three changes, bringing in Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, and Tim Seifert for Kyle Jamieson, Kristian Clarke, and Tim Robinson. Santner, too, acknowledged the tricky conditions: "Would have bowled as well. The ground's already wet, and there is some dew already. Every time you play against a quality side, there is always something to learn, which we did."

The match began with New Zealand batting first after India won the toss and elected to bowl. The Kiwi openers, Tim Seifert and Devon Conway, came out all guns blazing, racking up 43 runs in the first three overs. But India’s bowlers quickly struck back—Harshit Rana and Varun Chakaravarthy each picked up a wicket in their opening overs, putting the brakes on New Zealand’s charge. Rachin Ravindra kept the scoreboard ticking with a brisk 44 off 26 balls, while Santner anchored the latter part of the innings with a composed, unbeaten 47 from 27 deliveries. Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, New Zealand managed to post an imposing 208/6 in their 20 overs.

India’s bowling effort was a mixed bag. Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy shared three wickets between them, while Hardik Pandya, Harshit Rana, and Shivam Dube each chipped in with one. Arshdeep Singh had a tough night up front but managed to pull things back at the death. The wet outfield and persistent dew made life difficult for the bowlers, a factor not lost on either captain.

Chasing 209 was never going to be a walk in the park, and things looked grim for India early on. Abhishek Sharma fell for a golden duck, and India found themselves in a precarious spot at 6/2. But then came the game-changing partnership. Ishan Kishan, unfazed by the pressure, launched a blistering counterattack. In a whirlwind display, he brought up his fifty in just 21 balls, ultimately smashing 76 off 32 deliveries. His knock was filled with audacious strokes, finding the boundary at will and keeping the required run rate in check.

Suryakumar Yadav, initially playing second fiddle, soon joined the party. The pair added a match-defining 122-run stand, shifting the momentum squarely in India’s favor. Suryakumar, who hadn’t scored a T20I fifty for India in over 463 days, chose the perfect moment to rediscover his touch. He finished unbeaten on 82 from just 37 balls, a knock that combined flair, composure, and calculated aggression.

Reflecting on the performance, Ishan Kishan, who was named Player of the Match, said, "My focus was firmly on what I needed to do and I was in a good headspace for this game. At times, you simply know when you are batting well, and it was about watching the ball closely and playing good cricket shots." Kishan also credited his domestic cricket experience for his resurgence, noting, "When I was out of the national side, I kept asking myself if I could do it again."

India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav, in a jovial mood, praised Kishan’s heroics: "I have never seen someone bat like that after being 6/2, and then end the Powerplay at around 70. We want our batters to play like that and express themselves out there." He lauded the bowlers for pulling things back after a tough start, admitting, "At one point I thought we could be chasing 230-odd runs." Yadav emphasized the positive atmosphere in the camp, saying, "The mood in the camp is really good and I am enjoying it and want to keep it in that space."

Shivam Dube, who played a handy cameo with three sixes, also weighed in: "Ishan played exactly what the team required. The atmosphere in the dressing room was pretty calm despite losing two early wickets. We knew how the wicket was behaving here and the belief in the group is strong, with every player having the ability to finish games."

New Zealand’s bowlers, however, were left searching for answers. Zak Foulkes endured a torrid night, conceding 67 runs in just three overs. A crucial over from Foulkes, where he was taken for 24 runs, effectively turned the tide in India’s favor and New Zealand never recovered. The wet conditions added to their woes, making it difficult to grip the ball and execute their plans. Dropped catches and missed opportunities only compounded their frustration.

Mitchell Santner, reflecting on the defeat, summed up the challenge: "Maybe even 300 might not be enough against these guys. When you come up against a side that bats deep on a good wicket and with the way India came out, it becomes all about trying to squeeze wherever possible. We know that 200 or 210 is unlikely to be enough and that our side needs to go harder with the bat to stay competitive." Santner also highlighted the importance of keeping the group fresh ahead of the World Cup, suggesting that these matches offer valuable learning experiences for the squad.

For New Zealand, the bright spots included Ravindra’s aggressive 44 and Santner’s own unbeaten 47, but the inability to capitalize on a strong start and the failure to contain India’s chase will be a concern as the series moves forward. India’s chase, completed in just 15.2 overs, matched their joint-highest successful run chase in T20Is—a statement of intent as the World Cup looms closer.

With the series now at 2-0, all eyes turn to Guwahati’s Barsapara Stadium, where India will look to seal the series and New Zealand will fight to keep their hopes alive. If this match was any indication, fans can expect more fireworks and drama as these two sides continue their riveting rivalry.

India’s emphatic win in Raipur has set the tone for the remainder of the series, leaving the Kiwis with plenty to ponder and the Men in Blue brimming with confidence. The action shifts to Guwahati, but the echoes of this record chase will linger long in the memory of cricket fans everywhere.