History was made in Raipur as India clinched the second T20I against New Zealand by chasing 209 with 28 balls unused, becoming the full-member team with the swiftest 200+ pursuit on record. The Friday night spectacle captivated cricket fans worldwide.
New Zealand, batting on a placid pitch, amassed 208/6. Santner’s 47 (27) and Ravindra’s 44 provided stability, but Kuldeep’s brace and wickets from Pandya, Rana, Chakaravarthy, and Dube restricted the flow.
India’s chase started shakily at 6/2, but Kishan’s blistering 76 (32 balls) lit the fuse. Captain Suryakumar’s unbeaten 82 (37) and Dube’s 36* (18) powered them to victory in a mere 15.2 overs.
India now ranks second in 200+ chase successes (6), after Australia’s 7. In speed, they top full members, ahead of Pakistan’s 24-ball margin (205 vs NZ 2025) and Australia’s 23 (vs WI 2025). Key prior wins: 209 vs AUS ’23, 208 vs WI ’18, etc.
This achievement cements India’s T20 reputation, showcasing resilience and skill. As the series unfolds, expect more fireworks from this dynamic squad.