NEW DELHI: India made another emphatic statement in the T20I series as they defeated New Zealand by seven wickets in Raipur, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead to 209/3 in just 15.2 overs. What was expected to be a thrilling 209-ball fightback turned into a breathtaking show of fearless batting, led by Ishan Kishan’s explosive 76 off just 32 balls and superbly supported by Suryakumar Yadav’s unbeaten 82.
The evening didn’t start smoothly for the hosts. Chasing an ambitious target of 208, India suffered a shock early on when Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma were run out cheaply and the scoreboard read a worrying 6 for 2. For a brief moment, New Zealand felt an opening.
What followed, however, was a complete reversal of momentum.
Kishan walked in with clear intent and wasted no time in settling down. From the first over he attacked the New Zealand bowlers with neat footwork, sharp bat swing and fearless shot selection. The boundaries were clear as he took full advantage of the power play and turned the pressure on the visitors into panic.
“I wanted to score as many runs as possible in the power play because when you are chasing 208, you have to maximize the power play,” Kishan explained later. His approach was bold but calculated – a batsman fully aware of the game situation and trusting his instincts.
The left-hander’s 76 came off just 32 pitches, a knock that included crisp drives, huge pulls and fearless strikes across the infield. At the other end, Suryakumar Yadav played the perfect partner. While Kishan went hard from the first ball, the Indian captain took in the conditions before displaying his trademark 360-degree strokeplay.
Suryakumar’s unbeaten 82 ensured there were no stumbling blocks after Kishan’s dismissal. Shivam Dube provided the finishing touches with a composed 36 as India came home with 28 balls remaining – a margin that underlined their dominance.
The numbers told the story of the massacre. India smashed 209 in just 15.2 overs, making light work of a total that is usually considered extremely competitive in T20 cricket.
It was a night to forget for New Zealand – especially for Zak Foulkes. The young pacer endured a brutal outing, conceding a record 67 runs in just three overs as the Indian batters relentlessly targeted him.
At the start of the evening, the visitors had put in a strong performance of 208/6. Mitchell Santner led the attack with a consistent unbeaten 47, while Rachin Ravindra’s fluent 44 provided momentum in the middle overs. At one point New Zealand seemed set for an even higher total.
Reflecting on the innings, Santner acknowledged the bowling challenge for India’s deep batting line-up. “Maybe 300 against these guys?” he remarked bluntly. “When you come up against a team that bats deep and India are intentional from the first ball, it’s about putting them under as much pressure as possible.”
Despite the defeat, the New Zealand captain viewed the game as part of his learning curve ahead of the World Cup. “Today we were under a lot of pressure and it was good for us to learn from it and get back on our feet,” he said, also pointing to the dew that made conditions difficult for spinners.
Meanwhile, Suryakumar Yadav couldn’t hide his admiration for Kishan’s attack. “I don’t know what Ishan had for lunch that afternoon,” he joked, “but I’ve never seen anyone bat like that at 6-2 and finish the power play at odds of around 60.”
The Indian captain praised the team’s overall performance, especially the bowlers who retired when New Zealand were 110 for 2. “All the bowlers have contributed and taken responsibility,” he noted, adding that the atmosphere in the camp remained optimistic.
For Kishan, the innings had a deeper meaning. After spending some time away from the Indian team, the left-hander spoke honestly about self-confidence and answering personal doubts. “Sometimes you do it for yourself, to answer your own questions about whether you are good enough to play for India,” he said.
On a night full of big hits and broken records, it was that quiet confidence – beyond limits – that stood out. India are now moving forward with momentum, confidence and a top order that fires fearlessly at just the right times.
