India's batting performance in the second T20I against New Zealand proved to be a masterclass in chasing. They made light work of a 209-run target, getting
over the line in just 15.2 overs at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur on Friday, January 23.
One of the most pleasing outcomes from the game for India would be the return to form of their skipper Suryakumar Yadav. The Mumbai batter walked out to the crease at No. 4 after the hosts lost two wickets in the first seven balls of the run chase.
Suryakumar took his time to get himself set at the crease as the face 12 balls he faced yielded 15 runs. However, he cut loose in the ninth over, smashing Zakary Foulkes for four fours and a six. Taking confidence from this onslaught, Suryakumar brought up his half-century in just 23 balls.
All-rounder Shivam Dube, who scored 36* off 18 balls during an unbeaten 81-run partnership with Suryakumar, said that the right-handed batter reminded everyone why he is the best batter in T20 cricket. Suryakumar finished not out on 82 off 37 balls, belting nine fours and four sixes.
“First of all, I remember that I was asked in a previous press conference about Surya (Suryakumar Yadav)’s form. I said then that Suryakumar Yadav is such a player — when he’s in form, the world knows what he’s capable of. So today, he reminded everyone why he is the number one T20 batter. I enjoyed that a lot," Dube said while speaking after the match.
Dube, who has shared the dressing room closely with Suryakumar for India as well as for Mumbai, referenced his earlier comments made in December 2025, when he had confidently predicted that the out-of-form batter would soon rediscover his rhythm.
Ishan Kishan also deserves praise for his 76-run knock off 32 balls as it helped Suryakumar give himself a bit of time to assess the conditions before going berserk. The Men in Blue have taken a 2-0 lead in the five-match series with three games left to play.
