NZ vs IND: India's strongest playing XI for 2nd T20I against New Zealand - Predicted
(Courtesy : BCCI)
Sanju Samson likely to bat at No. 3 against New Zealand.
India will face New Zealand (NZ vs IND) in the second T20I of the five-match series on Saturday, October 24, at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. The visitors started the series with a thrilling win and will now look to take a 2-0 lead.
New Zealand scored 225 in the first T20I, but Shreyas Iyer & Co. chased the target with four wickets left and two balls to spare. India won the match, but their bowlers need to improve after giving away so many runs.
Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma gave India a strong start with a 93-run opening partnership. Samson scored 67 off 33 balls, while Naman Dhir remained unbeaten on 42 off just 15 deliveries to help India complete the chase. We might see some changes to India’s lineup for the next match.
The Men in Blue have suffered a setback ahead of the second T20I, as wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has been ruled out due to a low-grade right adductor strain. His absence could open the door for young batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to return to the playing XI.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi likely to replace Ishan Kishan
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Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is likely to open alongside Abhishek Sharma in the second T20I. The 15-year-old could get another chance to prove himself at the international level after Ishan’s injury.
If Vaibhav comes into the XI, Samson could move to No. 3. Samson has already shown he can play attacking cricket at the top of the order; his experience could help India maintain momentum in the middle overs.
This change could also help the visitors get a balanced batting order. With Samson moving to No. 3, Shreyas Iyer and Tilak Varma can handle the middle overs, while Nitish Kumar Reddy and Naman Dhir can play the finisher role.
India’s strongest playing XI for 2nd T20I
India’s likely playing XI for the second T20I against New Zealand:
Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Sanju Samson, Shreyas Iyer (C), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav.
When will the New Zealand vs India 2nd T20I take place?
The second T20I will take place on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
Why is Ishan Kishan ruled out of the second T20I?
Ishan Kishan has been ruled out due to a low-grade right adductor strain sustained during the first T20I.
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