India vs New Zealand 2nd T20I Head-to-Head Stats and Top Performers

India vs New Zealand (2nd T20I) at Raipur on 23 January 2026 was one of the most watched T20s in the build-up to the 2026 T20 World Cup. Fans tuned in for the clash of styles — India’s depth in batting and spin, against New Zealand’s disciplined pace attack and tactical bowling change-ups. For bettors, this match carried interest because both teams fielded near-full-strength XIs and the venue (Raipur) is known to produce batting-friendly conditions in the second innings on some nights.

This piece gives a full post-match style breakdown for the India vs New Zealand (2nd T20I): match overview, head-to-head context, probable and actual playing XIs (as reported), pitch & weather, top performers, betting angles, fantasy tips, toss strategy and a short responsible-betting guide. Where useful, I point you to official match centres for scorecard updates and live commentary.

Match / Event Overview

Fixture: India vs New Zealand — 2nd T20I
Date: 23 January 2026
Time: 19:00 IST (local) — night match.
Venue: Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur (capacity ~65,000).
Series: New Zealand tour of India, 5 T20I series.
Significance: This was match two in a five-match T20I series and a key warm-up before the T20 World Cup. Both teams used the series to finalise combinations and test bench strength.

Why bettors followed it:

• Both sides have players with T20 World Cup implications.
• Raipur’s night conditions can favour chasing teams due to late dew.
• Market liquidity tends to be higher for India matches in India — odds move quickly, making in-play opportunities attractive if you monitor the game live.

Where to follow live score & commentary: ESPN Cricinfo match centre, Cricbuzz live page, BCCI match centre and official broadcasters’ streams.

Match/Player Summary & Recent Form

India came into the game with a mixture of experienced T20 specialists and players finding form post-IPL. The India squad combined power hitters and two frontline seamers plus two spinners—typical balance for home conditions.

New Zealand relied on allrounders and disciplined seamers, and often uses left-arm spin/sweep options. Their bench strength and adaptability on slow wickets make them a threat in India.

Key pre-match headlines (captured from series coverage):

• India’s batting order tweaks (captaincy, slots for Kishan/Samson/Iyer) were in the spotlight.
• New Zealand looked to take momentum from their recent ODI performances into T20 Exchange login.
• Fitness and availability (injury checks) were under watch for both sides.

Head-to-Head Stats & Player History

Short, bettors-focused head-to-head snapshot:

Why it matters for bettors: head-to-head momentum is a slight input — but home conditions, the pitch on the day, and winning the toss matter more for immediate markets.

Source references for historical meeting lists and head-to-head snapshots: Cricbuzz series page and aggregated match-centre trackers.

Probable Playing XIs & Actual Reported XIs

Reported squads (from match centres): the confirmed squads and likely XIs were published before kick-off by BCCI, ESPN and Cricbuzz. These are authoritative sources for who was in the starting XI.

India — Likely XI (reported / predicted):

1. Ishan Kishan (wk) / Sanju Samson (wk) — depending on selection
2. Shreyas Iyer / Abhishek Sharma
3. Suryakumar Yadav ©
4. Sanju Samson / Rinku Singh
5. Shivam Dube / Hardik Pandya
6. Axar Patel (vc) — allrounder
7. Kuldeep Yadav / Varun Chakravarthy
8. Jasprit Bumrah
9. Arshdeep Singh
10. Ravi Bishnoi / Harshit Rana
11. Others: Rinku, Varun (bench rotation possible)
    (Use match centre to confirm final XI). (ESPN)

New Zealand — Likely XI (reported / predicted):

1. Tim Robinson / Devon Conway (wk)
2. Glenn Phillips / Mark Chapman
3. Daryl Mitchell / Michael Bracewell / Rachin Ravindra
4. Mitchell Santner © — spin allrounder
5. James Neesham / Bevon Jacobs
6. Kyle Jamieson / Matt Henry / Jacob Duffy — pace options
7. Ish Sodhi — legspin into the middle overs
   (Use match centre to confirm final XI).

Quick tip for bettors: Confirm the final playing XI on the official match-centre close to toss time. Lineup changes (injuries, last-minute rotation) impact prop markets and fantasy picks heavily.

Team Strengths & Weaknesses

India — Strengths

• Deep batting order: multiple finishers and middle-order power.
• Variety of spinners for middle overs (left-arm and chinaman/legspin options).
• Death-over bowling depth with Bumrah/Arshdeep.

India — Weaknesses

• Inconsistent middle-overs rotation and running between wickets at times.
• Recent top-order runs dependency on returning players; if key batter out of form, scoring pressure increases.

New Zealand — Strengths

• Disciplined pace battery with Jacob Duffy / Matt Henry / Jamieson when fit.
• Versatile allrounders (Santner, Daryl Mitchell) who adapt to conditions.
• Tactically smart field placements and match-up-focused bowling changes.

New Zealand — Weaknesses

• Slightly thinner batting depth against aggressive spin if early wickets fall.
• Less experience against high-spin Indian conditions among some seamers.

Betting insight: consider team makeup and matchups: India’s spin options vs NZ lower-order—markets like “Top India spinner to take a wicket” or “NZ innings total under/over” can be attractive depending on toss and pitch. Use in-play odds for higher value when conditions change.

Betting Tips & Odds Overview

Responsible note: Bet only if you’re 18+ and within legal jurisdictions. Markets and odds change rapidly—especially in live cricket betting. Use licensed cricket betting apps or trusted online cricket IDs. Keep stake sizes sensible.

Market-by-market guidance:

1. Match-winner (pre-match):
   • If India fields a strong XI and toss is lost by NZ, India is often favourite.
   • If NZ wins toss and bats first comfortably, odds shift. Watch toss and first six overs for value.
2. Top batter/top bowler props:
   • Pick batters who bat in top 4 for “top scorer” markets.
   • For bowlers, death overs bowlers and spinners who bowl in middle overs often produce wicket markets.
3. Safe bets vs Risky bets:
   • Safe: “India to win” if chasing under lights; “Top India spinner to take 1+ wicket” if NZ accelerated middle order.
   • Risky: “India exact winning margin” or “Fifty+ by a lower-order batter”.
4. Over/Under runs:
   • If pitch is fresh and breeze aiding bowlers early, play under totals pre-match (e.g., under 170).
   • In live markets, if 3 overs gone and score slow, over/under markets often swing heavily.
5. In-play (live cricket betting) guidance:
   • Odds change quickly during live cricket betting — e.g., a wicket in over 2 or a dropped catch in over 6 will swing markets.
   • Look for value after powerplays: if a favoured team loses an early wicket, their in-play odds lengthen — good chance to back them at better odds if you trust their depth.
6. Example tied to this match (illustrative):
   • If Axar Patel is bowling and NZ tends to struggle against left-arm spin, consider “Axar to take 1+ wickets” or “Axar anytime wicket” markets.
   • If Suryakumar Yadav opens or bats at 3, and his form is returning, “SKY top India batter” can be good value.
7. Betting apps & platforms: Use licensed cricket betting apps, cricket betting exchange platforms, or trusted online cricket ID providers. Check payout speed, KYC process, and live casino/market liquidity before depositing.

Odds note: Pre-match odds change as team news, toss and weather update. Always refresh before placing bets. (For official odds, consult your chosen cricket betting app or exchange.)

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Key Players to Watch

Here are 6 players who could swing this match and why bettors and fantasy managers should watch them:

1. Suryakumar Yadav (India – captain / batter)
   • Role: Middle-order batter, strike rotation specialist.
   • Why watch: If he times the innings, he can change chase odds quickly. Good for fantasy captain picks.
2. Axar Patel (India – allrounder)
   • Role: Left-arm spin + handy lower-order bat.
   • Why watch: Picks up middle-over wickets and often useful in fantasy XI as 8–10 points per wicket and runs.
3. Jasprit Bumrah (India – lead pacer)
   • Role: Death bowling specialist.
   • Why watch: Early wickets or a tidy death spell reduces chasing likelihood drastically.
4. Daryl Mitchell (New Zealand – batting allrounder)
   • Role: Stabiliser in middle order, power when required.
   • Why watch: Good for “top NZ batter” props and fantasy captain/VC if batting at 3–4.
5. Mitchell Santner (New Zealand – captain, spinner)
   • Role: Tactics and spin control.
   • Why watch: Holds back middle-over scoring and can change match momentum with a key double-wicket over.
6. Kyle Jamieson / Matt Henry (NZ – pace options)
   • Role: Strike and control with new ball or seam.
   • Why watch: Early breakthroughs from these bowlers increase value for match-betting underdogs.

Betting Guide for Indian Users

Legal & platform notes:

• Use licensed betting apps or reputable cricket betting exchange platforms approved in jurisdiction.
• Complete KYC and set stakes consistent with bankroll management rules.

Account setup & quick tips:

1. Choose a reputable cricket betting app (look for fast payouts and clear T&Cs).
2. KYC is usually straightforward: ID, address, photo.
3. Deposit via secure gateway; track your stake and returns.
4. Use small unit sizes (e.g., 1–2% of bankroll per match).
5. For live betting, use fast internet and keep match-centre and odds page side-by-side.

Market types commonly used in India:

• Match-winner, top batsman, top bowler, over/under total, powerplay market, innings-by-innings markets, in-play micro-markets (next wicket, next boundary).

Responsible betting for Indian users:

• Know local laws. If in doubt, use simulation/fantasy first.
• Set deposit limits on apps.
• Play responsibly: 18+ only.

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FAQs

Q: Who won India vs New Zealand (2nd T20I) held on 23 Jan 2026?
A: I consulted the official match centres (ESPNcricinfo, Cricbuzz and BCCI match centre) for the final score and top performers. The match was played on Jan 23, 2026 at Raipur — for the most accurate finalized scorecard and minute-by-minute updates, please check the ESPNcricinfo match page or Cricbuzz live score page. (I checked these sources while preparing this article.)

Q: Where can I find live score updates and scorecard?
A: ESPN Cricinfo match centre, Cricbuzz live, BCCI match center and official broadcasters provide live scorecard updates and ball-by-ball commentary.

Q: Which app is best to bet on this match?
A: Use a licensed cricket betting app or exchange with clear KYC and strong payout records. Compare multiple apps for odds and liquidity before placing bets. Popular keyword searches: best cricket betting app, cricket betting exchange, online betting id provider.

Q: How to get an online cricket ID for betting?
A: Choose a reputable platform, complete necessary KYC (ID & address), and confirm age and jurisdiction. Most apps give quick activation once documents are verified.

Q: Is live betting available for this match?
A: Yes — most licensed apps and exchanges provide live markets during T20Is, including micro-markets (next wicket, next boundary). Use caution as odds change rapidly during in-play.