IND vs NZ: Predicted India playing XI for the second T20I

Following a one-sided 48-run victory against New Zealand in the T20I series opener, the Indian team is now looking to carry the winning momentum into the second T20I. The 2nd match of the 5-match series will be played at the Shaheed Veer Narayan International Stadium, Raipur, on January 23. 

Although India won the match convincingly, Team India faced a major setback during the first T20I. Actually, vice-captain Axar Patel got hit on the tip of his index finger while attempting to catch the ball with his left hand. He was trying to catch a shot from Daryl Mitchell off his own bowling when the event occurred. Shortly after, he left the field when his finger started to bleed, and Ravi Bishnoi took his place. The final three balls of the over had to be bowled by Abhishek Sharma. The BCCI has not yet released an official statement regarding the all-rounder's injury.

Team India is currently dealing with a couple of players’ injury concerns. Before Axar, Tilak Varma and Washington Sundar had been suffering from injuries. Instead of them, Shreyas Iyer and Ravi Bishnoi have been included in the T20I squad against New Zealand. The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is just around the corner, and Team India doesn’t want to take any risks with these players. 

Axar Patel might miss the match. If it happens, Kuldeep Yadav might be included in the India playing XI. However, in this case, the Indian team management might make a couple of changes, too. Harshit Rana might be included in the playing XI instead of Arshdeep Singh. 

Apart from that, the rest of the playing XI will be the same. Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma will open. Ishan Kishan will bat at 3, while skipper Suryakumar Yadav will feature at 4. Sanju and Ishan both want to score runs, after failing badly in first T20I. While Suryakumar Yadav needs to convert his starts in next cricket match. Abhishek Sharma is looking solid and already played a match-winning 84-run knock in the series opener. 

At 5, 6, and 7, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, and Rinku Singh will feature. Varun Chakravarthy is the sole spinner in the playing XI, while Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah are the two fast bowlers. 

Predicted India playing XI for the second T20I

Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav ©, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel/Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh