NZ aim to stretch limits of batting ability against India's mean machine

As India wrapped up the chase well ahead of time in Raipur, New Zealand wicketkeeper Tim Seifert borrowed Suryakumar Yadav's bat, turned it over in his hands to get a feel before returning it. It was a telling moment in a series that has left the visitors searching for explanations, as India's batting depth and abilities have caused disbelief. Score 190 in a chase and lose by a deflating margin of 48 runs. Score 200+ batting first, and watch it get polished off with 28 balls to spare – the most in a T20I involving full-member teams.

And yet, New Zealand were not entirely out of place. For long stretches in Raipur, they looked set for a score well beyond 200, but were then reeled in. Mitchell Santner later admitted his side knew of the tweaks needed to be made to compete against India at their home. "We probably have to go a bit harder, knowing that 200 or 210 isn't enough anymore," he said. The visitors have the right ideas and tools for success in this part of the world, without currently being able to put it all together and sustain it.

India, meanwhile, sit at the other end of this spectrum. The final stretch before a World Cup title defence at home has begun dreamily. Abhishek Sharma is batting like it is still 2025, Rinku Singh has seamlessly returned to finishing duties, and Suryakumar Yadav's training ground touch finally spilled over to a live match situation. India's batting flex has been such that the other central figure in Raipur, Ishan Kishan, does not project as a first-choice starter when the World Cup arrives next month.

Once again, only a travel day separates the second game and the third, but India won't mind it. It allows for a quick continuation of their momentum. For New Zealand though, a day of short flights and layovers from Raipur to Guwahati is likely to come with a fair bit of introspection on the go.

When: India vs New Zealand, 3rd T20I, January 25, 7:00 PM IST
Where: Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati

What to expect: Another high-scoring game? The last T20I at this venue, in November 2023, saw India score 222 and Australia chase it down with 23 smashed off the last over.

If Axar Patel is fit and ready to return, he and Jasprit Bumrah should be back in Guwahati.

Probable XI:
India: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel/Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah/Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Varun CV
New Zealand: Tim Seifert, Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner, Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy

Stats:

• India have a win-loss record of 42-5 in 47 completed T20Is since January 2024.
• After the last T20 World Cup in 2024, New Zealand have not won a single T20I they've played against Australia, England and India (8 played, 5 lost, 3 NR).
• Sanju Samson has got out inside the PowerPlay in 7 of the 8 innings he has opened since January 2025.
• Since Asia Cup 2025, Shivam Dube is India's fourth highest wicket-taker. His strike rate of 12.6 is bettered only by Kuldeep Yadav, among bowlers who have bowled at least 10 overs.

Quotes:

"As I've said before, I was batting really well in the nets. Everything I did back home over the last two or three weeks helped. I got a good break to spend time with my family and friends, had good practice sessions, and I'm really enjoying what's happening right now."
– Suryakumar Yadav after ending his 24-innings long rut for a T20I fifty

"When you come up against a side that bats deep on a really good wicket, that's the way India have come out – with intent from ball one. I guess they have a license for every batter. For us, it's about trying to squeeze wherever we can."
– Mitchell Santner