The rescue act by the batters was impressive but India’s bowling attack needs to find its rhythm and figure out a way to contain a rather destructive New Zealand in the second T20 International in Christchurch on Saturday (October 24, 2026).
The record chase of 226 gave the visiting team a crucial 1-0 lead but it also highlighted frailties that can cost the side heavily in the remainder of the five-match series. On Thursday (October 22, 2026), Nitish Reddy went wicket-less and leaked 40 runs in his four overs while Naman Dhir did not get to bowl before he produced a match-winning effort with the bat. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, bowling in his first India game in nearly four years, was not at his sharpest and leaked 49 runs in his full quota of overs. Match starts 12.30 p.m.
On the positive side, Santner and fellow spinner Michael Bracewell troubled the Indian batters in the middle overs and they would be looking to maintain the upper hand over the opposition. Considering the depth of Indian batting, New Zealand will surely need to bowl better to make a match of it. “So I think both teams could probably look at a few things here and there, which I think could have gone either way. IST.
The extras at the start maybe and obviously I think in the field we were pretty good,” said Santner. In Mitchell Santner’s own words, his team’s biggest challenge on Saturday night would be to contain the in-form Indian top-order.