India vs New Zealand 2nd T20I: Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav finally returned to form as he smashed an impressive half-century during the second T20I match against New Zealand at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur on Saturday, January 24. His effort helped India clinch a 7-wicket dominating victory in the high-scoring contest and go 2-0 up in the five-match series.
Suryakumar played a memorable knock of 82 runs in just 37 balls on the back of nine fours and four sixes as India chased down the 209-run target in just 15.2 overs. Suryakumar ended a long wait for a fifty, having reached the milestone forthe first time since becoming India's T20I captain in 2024. After completing his fifty in just 23 balls, he bowed down to the 22 yards and did a prayer-like gesture.
Watch Suryakumar Yadav's celebration after completing his fifty vs New Zealand
Apart from getting applause from the crowd, Suryakumar received a standing ovation from the Indian dressing room. "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 said at the post-match presentation.
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Suryakumar's disappointing form with the bat remained a huge concern for India ahead of the T20 World Cup. The 35-year-old had a horrible outing in 2025 as he couldn't get a single fifty in 22 innings. In that period, he has averaged 12.84 and struck at 117.87. The senior Indian batter is the top run-getter in the ongoing series at the moment with 114 runs to his name at an average of 114, having scored 32 runs in the opening match in 22 balls.
Talking about the second game, New Zealand posted a big total of 208/6 in their 20 overs after being put into bat first on the back of crucial contributions from Rachin Ravindra (44) and skipper Mitchell Santner (47*).
Chasing the target, India lost a couple of early wickets and were reduced to 6/2. Ishan Kishan recovered things for the Men in Blue with an outstanding partnership of 122 runs for the third wicket. He smashed his first fifty on his return to the side after a couple of years. Kishan played a magnificent knock of 76 runs in 32 balls, hitting 11 fours and four sixes.