IND vs NZ 2nd T20I Live Updates: India Win Toss, Sooryavanshi Plays

India won the toss and elected to bowl against New Zealand in the second T20 International at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Saturday, October 24, 2026. Captain Shreyas Iyer's decision gives the visitors an opportunity to test their bowling attack early before attempting to build on their advantage in the five-match series.

India entered the contest with a 1-0 lead after winning the opening T20I by four wickets in a high-scoring encounter. The team will now look to produce a more disciplined performance with the ball while maintaining the aggressive batting approach that helped secure victory in the first match.

The match also marks a significant milestone for Indian men's cricket, with the team playing its 300th T20 International.

Teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is one of the main talking points ahead of the contest. The young left-hander has been included in India's playing XI after wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan was ruled out with a low-grade right adductor strain sustained during the series opener.

Sooryavanshi is set to bat at No. 3, according to the captain's team announcement. His inclusion offers India another attacking option in the top order and puts the spotlight on his performance in a high-pressure international match.

India have also made a second change, with fast bowler Prince Yadav replacing Mayank Yadav. The adjustment comes after India's bowling unit conceded 225 runs in the opening game, despite the team eventually completing the chase successfully.

The changes reflect India's effort to strengthen their combination as they seek greater control over New Zealand's scoring.

India: Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Shreyas Iyer (captain), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh and Prince Yadav.

New Zealand: Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (wicketkeeper), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Bevon Jacobs, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (captain), Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy and Lockie Ferguson.

New Zealand have also made a change to their lineup, with Jacob Duffy coming in for Adam Milne. The hosts will aim to make the most of batting first and put pressure on India with another strong total.

The first T20I produced an explosive contest, with New Zealand posting 225/4 before India chased down the target at 230/6 in 19.4 overs to win by four wickets. Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma provided a rapid start, while Shreyas Iyer and Naman Dhir helped India recover after a middle-order wobble.

Glenn Phillips was a standout performer for New Zealand, scoring an unbeaten 82 from 40 deliveries. His innings helped the hosts establish a formidable total, exposing areas India will want to improve in their bowling performance.

India's decision to bowl first in the second match creates another opportunity for the bowlers to set the tone. Early wickets could limit New Zealand's ability to build momentum, while disciplined bowling at the death will be important against the hosts' aggressive batting lineup.

New Zealand, meanwhile, will seek to repeat their strong batting display and improve their execution in the field. Having failed to defend 225 in the opener, the hosts need a more effective bowling performance if they are to level the series.

A victory would give India a 2-0 lead in the five-match series and increase their control over the contest. For New Zealand, the match is an opportunity to respond on home soil and prevent the visitors from extending their advantage.

With Sooryavanshi's inclusion, changes to both teams and India's bowling performance under scrutiny, the second T20I has several key storylines to follow. The opening overs of New Zealand's innings could prove crucial in determining whether India can restrict the hosts or face another challenging run chase.