India and New Zealand get ready for the second T20 match of their five game series at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on October 24, 2026. The India vs New Zealand 2nd T20I 2026 should bring another tense finish after India edged past New Zealand in the first match by four wickets, chasing the score. New Zealand will want to do better with the ball and in the field this time, especially after allowing a large total in front of their own supporters.
This India vs New Zealand 2nd T20I 2026 matters a lot for both sides. India can push the series to 2-0 and tighten their grip. New Zealand, though, need a win to level things up and get back on track.
There is also a selection talking point for India. Ishan Kishan is out with an injury. That may make way for young batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to come back into the playing XI.
India vs New Zealand 2nd T20I 2026: Match Details
- Match: New Zealand vs India, 2nd T20I
- Series: India tour of New Zealand 2026
- Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026
- Venue: Hagley Oval, Christchurch
- Start time: 12:30 PM IST
- Toss time: 12:00 PM IST
- Series score: India lead 1-0
- India captain: Shreyas Iyer
- New Zealand captain: Mitchell Santner
- Live telecast in India: Sony Sports Network
- Live streaming in India: SonyLIV app and website
The second game is at the same ground as the first T20I. Both teams can watch how the surface behaved earlier and fine tune their plans for this match.
India vs New Zealand 1st T20I: What Happened in the Opening Match?
In the first T20I, India put up a strong batting effort to chase down New Zealand’s 225. India got to 230 for six and won by four wickets with two balls left.
New Zealand had set 225 for four after their top order made solid contributions. Glenn Phillips stood out for them, finishing unbeaten on 82.
India’s chase started fast in the powerplay. Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson kept the pressure on the New Zealand bowlers with bold shot-making. They also moved well between the wickets.
Sanju Samson made 67 off 33 balls. Shreyas Iyer added 42 runs. Later, Naman Dhir helped close things out, ending unbeaten on 42 from 15 balls.
The win gave India a 1-0 lead in the series. Still, the chase was a reminder that both bowling units have issues to fix. India let runs flow, finishing with more than 200 conceded. New Zealand also struggled to control the tempo, especially during the powerplay and in the last overs.
New Zealand will look to correct those errors. India, meanwhile, will aim for steadier bowling but still keep their batting style aggressive.
Ishan Kishan Injury Update: Will Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Play?
India have hit a snag before the second T20I. Ishan Kishan is out of the game. He has a low-grade strain in his right adductor. The problem came up in the first match. The BCCI medical staff is keeping track of how he is recovering. A fixed date for his return has not been shared yet.
With Kishan missing, India may reshuffle their batting. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is said to be in the mix. He could come in at the top, and bat alongside Abhishek Sharma.
If Sooryavanshi plays, India may get another hard-hitting option early. He is seen as a left-handed batter who tries to push the pace from the start. He also has a knack for finding boundaries soon after the innings begins.
Still, the team will have to think about the overall setup. Sanju Samson might be used at No. 3. Shreyas Iyer and Tilak Varma could then handle the middle overs and keep things steady.
The final XI will be named at the toss. Supporters should not treat any predicted list as a final call.
India Probable Playing XI
Given the injury and the likely batting tweaks, India’s rough XI could look like this:
- Abhishek Sharma
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
- Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper)
- Shreyas Iyer (captain)
- Tilak Varma
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Naman Dhir
- Axar Patel
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Arshdeep Singh
- Mayank Yadav
This is only a possible XI. It is not a confirmed lineup. India may revise it based on the pitch, player fitness, and what the team wants to do on the day.
If Sooryavanshi gets the nod, the first partnership with Abhishek could draw a lot of attention. Both are likely to look for quick runs in the powerplay. At the same time, they will have to deal with the swing and movement from the new ball.
New Zealand Likely XI
New Zealand are likely to lean on their batting experience and their fast bowling options. The XI they might use is:
- Finn Allen
- Devon Conway (wicketkeeper)
- Daryl Mitchell
- Glenn Phillips
- Bevon Jacobs
- Michael Bracewell
- Mitchell Santner (captain)
- Nathan Smith
- Matt Henry
- Lockie Ferguson
- Jacob Duffy
This XI is not locked. New Zealand may tweak the batting places or swap bowlers after looking at the pitch and the setup at Hagley Oval.
The home side will want tighter bowling. In the first match, their batting did reach a solid score. Still, India moved fast in the chase, and that hurt the hosts.
Hagley Oval Pitch View
Hagley Oval should bring a clear contest between batters and quick bowlers. The last T20I here went high in runs, and both teams got past 200.
The surface may suit players who like to hit from the front foot, especially if it stays the same for both innings. At the same time, the new ball could bring some help for the fast bowlers. That means the first overs might be tough.
India’s top order will need to read the conditions early. Going hard at the start can lift the game, but quick losses would put the middle order under strain.
New Zealand will aim to mix pace and keep a good length. The powerplay and the last overs may matter a lot, after the hosts conceded 230 in the first match.
Who does the powerplay better might take a real edge. A good batting start could also help control how the game moves for either team.
Key Players to Watch
- Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson stood out in the first T20I, hitting 67 off 33 balls. His hitting in the gaps set the tone during the chase.
If Kishan does not play, Samson can slide higher in the order. That means he may shape the contest right from the start.
The main test is staying firm on attacking play, without overreaching against the new ball.
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is one of the more talked about names before the second T20I. If he gets picked, he could bring a direct approach.
New Zealand’s quicks will likely challenge him with seam movement and extra bounce. He will need to bide his time when it is hard, then take on balls that are genuinely hittable.
If he has a solid outing, it will also add to his international experience and help his standing in India’s T20I plans.
- Glenn Phillips
Glenn Phillips made 82 not out in the first match. He also showed he can speed things up after the initial phase.
New Zealand will lean on his big hitting, and on his skill to link overs with partners. If Phillips stays in, he can put pressure on India’s bowlers and lift the hosts toward a tough total.
- Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer must handle two roles at once. He has to bat and also make call as captain.
If India lose wickets early, his experience can help steady the innings. Then, once the set is in place, he can push the scoring up when needed.
People who follow his recent games can also check Shreyas Iyer’s ICC T20I ranking in 2026 in our related player-news coverage.
- Mitchell Santner
Mitchell Santner is set to matter with bat and ball. As captain, he must find a way to rein in India’s top order.
In particular, his bowling may fit well in the middle overs. New Zealand will want to slow the run rate and open chances for wickets.
Key Battles That Could Decide the Match
India’s aggressive openers vs New Zealand’s pace attack
India’s top two will aim to score early. Still, New Zealand’s fast bowlers can make the first overs tough.
If the visitors take wickets early, India may not get another clean powerplay. That would change how the rest of the chase unfolds.
At the same time, a quick start by Abhishek Sharma and Sooryavanshi could swing the pressure back. It could also give India more room for the middle phase.
Glenn Phillips vs India’s bowling attack
Phillips struck quickly in the first T20I. This time, India will want a clear method to slow him, especially once he is set.
Indian bowlers might change speed, bowl from wider angles, and avoid sending balls into his usual scoring zones.
Middle overs and death bowling
Both teams had trouble keeping a steady scoring pace in the first game. India put up a large total but New Zealand made it hard for themselves at first. After New Zealand lost wickets, the visitors still managed to get back into the chase.
That is why the middle part of the innings matters. If a side can take wickets and also keep runs in check, it usually swings the game.
India vs New Zealand 2nd T20I 2026: Match Prediction
India should begin this match with more belief. They chased well in the opener, and their batters did not fold under pressure. In the last overs, they also found ways to score faster.
New Zealand will have the home ground edge. Their top order can build a solid score. Their pace group will also want to bounce back after the defeat in the first match.
It could turn into another run-filled game. India have more batting options, so they can chase or set targets well. Still, New Zealand can tie the series if their bowlers use the conditions better.
Prediction: India are slightly ahead due to the 1–0 series lead and the way they batted in the opener. Even so, New Zealand can win at Christchurch. They may do it if they take wickets early and tighten their bowling late in the innings.
Conclusion
The India vs New Zealand 2nd T20I 2026 looks like a key game in the five-match series at Hagley Oval. India want to push the lead to 2–0. New Zealand need a win to bring the series level and get their confidence back.
Ishan Kishan’s injury has made the selection tougher for India. If Vaibhav Sooryavanshi returns, it could change the look of the batting card.
The main contests should be in India’s early hitting, New Zealand’s pace spells, and how both sides handle the last overs. If India keep their rhythm at the top and bowl with more control, they can win again.
