Last Updated on 15 seconds ago by Charbel Coorey

The first T20I on Thursday delivered in spades. India pulled off their highest-ever T20I run chase in a contest that ebbed and flowed, as the men in blue flexed their T20 muscle once again.

New Zealand, batting first, flexed muscles of their own. Finn Allen threatened to take the game away from India before Glenn Phillips produced an outstanding innings to take the hosts to 225. Bevon Jacobs was also impressive as he aims to nail down a spot in the Black Caps’ middle order.

However, India’s incredible batting ceiling was on show again. Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma blasted 93 by the sixth over against an experienced pace attack to blow the chase wide open. New Zealand’s spinners – Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell – brought things back in the middle, but India’s middle order, led by the impressive Naman Dhir, saw the visitors home.

Dew played a key role, but India’s execution after only arriving in New Zealand earlier in the week would be pleasing for Shreyas Iyer and his team. But, they will have to be on their game on Saturday as the Black Caps seek a strong response.

NZ vs IND 2nd T20 2026 Possible Playing XIs: Ishan Kishan ruled out with groin strain

Mitchell Santner spent some time off the field in the first T20I due to whiplash. But he returned and is expected to play in this game.

In terms of the bowling, Kyle Jamieson and Jacob Duffy are available should New Zealand decide to make changes. Since the start of 2024, Jacob Duffy taken 36 wickets in 19 matches at an average of 12.72 and an economy of 7.19 in home T20Is.

New Zealand: 1. Finn Allen, 2. Tim Seifert (wk), 3. Daryl Mitchell, 4. Glenn Phillips, 5. Bevon Jacobs, 6. Michael Bracewell, 7. Mitchell Santner (c), 8. Nathan Smith/Jacob Duffy, 9. Matt Henry/Kyle Jamieson, 10. Adam Milne, 11. Lockie Ferguson

Ishan Kishan has been ruled out due to a groin strain. Teen sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is likely to come in and open alongside Abhishek Sharma with Sanju Samson shifting to three.

India: 1. Abhishek Sharma, 2. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, 3. Sanju Samson (wk), 4. Shreyas Iyer (c), 5. Tilak Varma, 6. Naman Dhir, 7. Nitish Kumar Reddy, 8. Axar Patel, 9. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 10. Arshdeep Singh, 11. Mayank Yadav

Hagley Oval Christchurch Pitch Report and Weather: 2nd T20I will be played on the same pitch

Saturday’s T20I will be played on the same pitch as the series opener. Bowling into the surface could be a worthwhile tactic with the long square boundaries, especially when bowling first. The spinners had a say on Thursday and could do so again in the second T20I.

Offspinners have the economy rate (7.3) of any bowling type at Hagley Oval in T20Is since 2016. They average 26 runs per wicket. Pace bowlers average 22 with an economy rate closer to eight. Left-arm orthodox concede 8.3 per over at an average of 33.

Another clear and mild evening is forecast. Expect dew to play a role again, so chasing will be preferred.

NZ vs IND 2nd T20 2026 Fantasy Cricket Tips: Will the batters dominate again?

Top wicket-keeper picks:

• Sanju Samson was superb in the first T20I (67 off 33 balls). He has two consecutive half-centuries against New Zealand dating back to the T20 World Cup Final. He averages just 14.28 in seven T20Is at number three, but he has the quality to overcome this today.
• Tim Seifert is one of three players with 500+ runs in NZ-IND T20Is. He averages 33.40 with a strike rate of 152.27 against India.

Key batter picks:

• Finn Allen hit 45 off 24 in the first T20I. India may look to use spin against him early, but Allen’s ceiling is so high that it is risky to ignore him in Dream11. Since the start of 2025, Allen has smashed 2,504 runs in all T20s at an average of 31.3 and strike rate of 187.4.
• Glenn Phillips smashed 82* off 40 balls in the series opener. It will be interesting to see if the Black Caps use him with the ball this time around as well. He can be a good differential c/vc option in fantasy cricket.
• Abhishek Sharma showed his brilliance on Thursday, hitting three sixes and two fours in his 12-ball 29. New Zealand will use offspin against him in the powerplay, so if he gets through that, he can go big.
• Shreyas Iyer hit 42 in the first T20I. He was India’s best in England earlier this year, hitting 218 runs at an average of 54.50 and strike rate of 157.97 in conditions that suited the quicks.

Top all-rounder picks:

• Michael Bracewell will be vital against India’s left-handers. It is likely New Zealand will use him in the powerplay especially if both Abhishek and Sooryavanshi open. The offspinner has 12 wickets in nine T20Is at Hagley Oval (avg. 16.25, econ. 6.50).
• Mitchell Santner has 25 T20I wickets against India at an economy of 7.87. He’ll look to take the pace off and make India force the pace on a used pitch.

Key bowler picks:

• New Zealand will be well-served playing either Kyle Jamieson or Jacob Duffy. Both hit the pitch hard and can generate bounce off a good length. Either can be a handy pick in Dream11.
• Lockie Ferguson is a genuine wicket-taker in the middle and death overs. Arshdeep Singh also bowls the crunch overs and can bring fantasy points.

Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Teams

• Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
• Naman Dhir.
• Axar Patel.
• Mayank Yadav.
• Matt Henry.
• Adam Milne.
• Daryl Mitchell.

Other Stats and Important Matchups

• Head-to-head in T20Is: Matches 32, New Zealand 11, India 20, one tie.
• Glenn Phillips in T20Is at Christchurch: 8 inns, 338 runs, avg. 67.60, SR 164.08.
• Mitchell Santner vs. Sanju Samson in all T20s: 36 balls, 27 runs, four wickets.
• Michael Bracewell vs. Abhishek Sharma in all T20s: two balls, two wickets.
• Axar Patel vs. Finn Allen in all T20s: 28 balls, 46 runs, three wickets.
• Arshdeep Singh vs. Finn Allen in all T20s: 36 balls, 75 runs, one wicket.
• Axar Patel vs. Daryl Mitchell in all T20s: 35 balls, 46 runs, three wickets.

NZ vs IND 2nd T20 Dream11 Prediction: October 24 2026

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams.

Option 1:

Option 2: