IND vs NZ: Ishan, Surya dazzle with bat as India chase record total in Raipur, take 2-0 lead in series

India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav made a blistering return to form in the second T20I against New Zealand in Raipur as he smashed an unbeaten 82 to help his side to a record win. Playing on Friday (Jan 23), Surya was given a huge helping hand by Ishan Kishan as he too returned to the Indian side with a statement 76 off 32 as the Men in Blue beat the Kiwis by seven wickets. Interestingly, India chased down the 209-run target with 28 balls to spare and now take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

Batters run riot

Tasked to chase 209 runs to win, India made a poor start as the hosts were 6/2 in the second over, losing Abhishek Sharma (0) and Sanju Samson (6) early. However, Ishan and captain Surya helped India come back into the contest. The two led the foundation for India’s resurgence, with Ishan being the aggressor as he completed his fifty in 20 deliveries. His innings of 76 runs consisted of 11 fours and 4 sixes as he, along with Surya, stitched a stand of 122 runs in 48 balls.

Ishan was later dismissed for 76, but the damage was already done with the Men in Blue closing in on a win. Shivam Dube (unbeaten 36 off 18) scored the winning runs later as India won with 28 balls to spare to take a 2-0 lead in the series.

ALSO READ | Meet Indians to score most runs in each of last 5 T20 World Cups ft Virat Kohli

What happened in New Zealand innings?

After being asked to bat first, New Zealand were off to a fantastic start as they raced away to 43/0 in three overs. However, speedster Harshit Rana dismissed opener Devon Conway for 19 runs off nine balls, including three fours and one six, to break the partnership during the first ball of the fourth over.

In the very next over, spinner Varun Chakaravarthy dismissed Tim Seifert after fielder Ishan Kishan took a brilliant catch at the mid-wicket region. The right-handed batter made 24 off 13 deliveries, including five fours.

ALSO READ | From Chris Gayle to Brendon McCullum, 5 batters to score fastest T20 World Cup hundreds

In the 13th over, Kuldeep Yadav struck as he removed dangerous Rachin Ravindra with Arshdeep taking a simple catch at the short third region. Ravindra played a blistering knock of 44 off 26 deliveries, including two fours and four towering sixes. The visitors would score 208/6 in their 20 overs as they crossed the 200-run mark.

For India, Hardik Pandya (1/25), Harshit Rana (1/35), Varun Chakaravarthy (1/35), Shivam Dube (1/7) and Kuldeep Yadav (2/35) were among the wicket takers.