'What a comeback': Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav find form as India chase down 209 in 15.2 overs

Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav hit incredible half-centuries as India made a mockery of the 209-run chase in the second T20I against New Zealand in Raipur on Friday, January 23. The Men In Blue scaled down the target with 28 balls in hand and won the match by seven wickets to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

Kishan led the charge for India with an outstanding 76 from 32 balls while Suryakumar finished unbeaten on 82 from only 37 balls. Shivam Dube also smashed a crucial 18-ball 36 not out to guide India to a thumping victory.

Kishan steered India out of trouble

Chasing 209, India were reduced to 6-2 within seven balls of the start of the chase. Sanju Samson (6) and Abhishek Sharma (0) were dismissed early as India looked under pressure in front of a big total.

However, Kishan turned the tide with his stunning counter attack. He reached his half-century in just 21 balls, the fastest for an Indian against New Zealand. Despite the poor start, Kishan blitzkrieg meant India collected 75 runs from the powerplay.

More from First Cricket

India vs New Zealand Live Score 2nd T20: Men in Blue scale down 209-run target with 28 balls left Bangladesh T20 World Cup Participation LIVE Updates: Bangladesh T20WC dreams over; Scotland set to replace them

Suryakumar played the waiting game while Kishan was smashing the Kiwi bowlers around the park and then upped the ante once the left-hander was gone. The Indian T20I captain reached his first half-century in after 468 days in 23 balls and just kept finding boundaries at will.

Ultimately, the BlackCaps bowlers had no answers for the incredible Indian batting. India’s chase in 15.2 overs made them the quickest side to chase down a 200-plus total in T20Is involving full member sides.

Both teams now go into the third match of the series in Guwahati with India leading 2-0.

Earlier, Rachin Ravindra (44) and Mitchell Santner (47*) had played key roles in a collective batting effort from New Zealand to set up a 209-run target for India. Kuldeep Yadav and Shivam Dube took a couple of wickets each for India.

Quick Reads

View All

'Won't require surgery...': Real reason behind Jasprit Bumrah's absence from 5th Test revealed in new report

PCB bans players from WCL over India-Pakistan match controversy

Ishan Kishan you beauty @ishankishan51 well played

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) January 23, 2026

This is what happens when you pick players on form and not based on past achievements.

Ishan Kishan using his form to the best 🥵 pic.twitter.com/v0mNAR98sq

— Dinda Academy (@academy_dinda) January 23, 2026

Ishan Kishan innings is gentle reminder to clown selectors.
Respect Domestic Cricket.
Respect Current form.
Well played lad.#INDvsNZ pic.twitter.com/GFSIb8m7Wv

— Raazi (@Crick_logist) January 23, 2026

Comeback & Super 50's from two Legend player's Ishan Kishan & Suryakumar Yadav is sukoon.

💙🇮🇳#INDvsNZ pic.twitter.com/X0UHs8p1Ov

— Aviral Varshney ॐ (@AviralVarshney3) January 23, 2026

I don’t know what has changed but this version of Ishan Kishan is so so good. After all that trouble with the board and selection committee and the rumoured behavioural issues, it is heartening to see him score runs. And briskly so.

It is always good to make your bat talk. He…

— Cricketologist (@AMP86793444) January 23, 2026