Match Center

So that is it from this game. India head to Hamilton with a 2-0 lead in this 5-match series. New Zealand will hope to find their magic back again and fight back in the series in Hamilton. Join us for the third T20I on Wednesday, 29th January. That match will begin at 2000 local (0700 GMT). Join us for that one. Till then, cheers!

For his unbeaten and match-winning knock of 57 off 50 balls, KL Rahul has been adjudged the Man of the Match. Rahul says that the circumstances were different so he knew what he had to do as it was a different pitch. Tells he needed to adjust as they lost Kohli and Rohit early. Shares that he has always put the team ahead and has luckily come up with the right shot and the right choices.

Indian skipper, Virat Kohli says that they backed up the last win with another good performance, especially with the ball. Tells it was a very good feature of their side as they managed to restrict a very good New Zealand batting lineup to 132. Tells they understood the angle of the field better and says he needed to think a bit as a captain and credits his bowlers for their performance. On whether he is looking to make any changes in the coming games, Kohli says he might not as they have managed to win both the games with the same side and tells that Hamilton has a better ground dynamics than here.

New Zealand skipper, Kane Williamson says it was a tough day and the wicket was different. Adds they were 15-20 runs short and credits the Indian players for the way they bowled. Adds that the Indian players showed their experience and did not allow their spinners to trouble them. On being asked if he would bat again, Williamson says maybe a bit better. Tells that they hope to go to Hamilton and assess the conditions better.

Earlier in the day after opting to bat, New Zealand struggled and were restricted to 132 courtesy a brilliant bowling performance from India which was led by Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah. Only Martin Guptill and Tim Seifert showed some fight for the Kiwis.

A valiant effort from the New Zealand bowlers but defending 133 against this batting heavy Indian side was always going to need some taking. They needed something magical but that never came. Southee tried and provided them two early wickets but that was it. Sodhi and Santner were economical but Bennett and Tickner had a tough outing and in the end, they had a very small target to defend.

Chasing 133, India got off to a poor start losing both Rohit and Kohli early but Rahul and Shreyas Iyer steadied the ship and barring some comical running they were just superb in their approach. They took their time and accelerate at ease. Rahul got to his fifty and stayed unbeaten while Iyer felt just 6 short of another fifty and made a mockery of the chase winning with more than 2 overs to spare.

Another day, another chase and another win for the Men in Blue! They have made this a habit of chasing down totals and with this win, they have made it 2-0 in the series.

17.3

6

SIX! There's the winning run. A short ball on middle, Dube gets in position and hammers it over wide long on for a biggie! INDIA WIN BY 7 WICKETS.

17.2

1

Landed on a length on middle, Rahul punches it to long on for a single.

17.1

1

Short and outside off, Dube cuts it to deep point for a single.

Tim Southee to bowl what can be the final over of the game.

16.6

1

Full toss outside off, Dube strokes it to long off for a single.

16.5

.

Flatter one on middle, tucked towards mid-wicket.

16.4

1

Full and on middle, Rahul flicks it to long on for a run.

Shivam Dube walks in next.

16.3

W

OUT! Caught! Sodhi takes the skier and Iyer departs. A slower one around off, Iyer has to reach out for this one as he looks to launch it over long off. However, he ends up getting a lot of height than distance. Southee from long off moves to his right and does well to pouch the ball with a forward dive. End of Iyer for tonight but he has played an excellent knock once again. 8 more needed off 21 balls. 50th wicket for Sodhi in T20Is.

16.3

1wd

WIDE! Sodhi tries to stay away from the firing line but ends up bowling it way outside off.

16.2

6

SIX! Huge. What a strike from Iyer! A flighted ball on middle, it is in the slot for Iyer. He just gets to the pitch and slams it sailing over long on for another maximum.

16.1

1

On the pads, it is tucked towards square leg for a single.

Ish Sodhi to bowl out.

15.6

1

Short again, Rahul pulls it with power to deep mid-wicket for a run. 14 from the over and India need 16 more in 4 overs.

15.5

1

Slower one around off, Iyer taps it towards point and takes a single.

15.4

4

SIX! Now a maximum with innovation! Iyer is once again playing a little gem of an innings! Tickner bowls a back of a length ball on middle, Iyer waits for it and then at the very last moment just helps it on its way over the third man fence for another maximum.

15.3

6

SIX! Hammered! Excellent shot from Iyer! Tickner bowls a fuller ball in the slot for Iyer. He backs away and slams it over long off for a huge six.

15.2

1

Another ball angled into the batter, it ends on the pads of Rahul. He helps it towards fine leg for a single.

15.1

1

On the pads of Iyer, he flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

14.6

.

Another run out opportunity goes abegging. Poor calling between the two batters. It is a length ball on middle, Rahul tucks it towards mid-wicket. Rahul wants a single but Iyer says no. However, Rahul is on the move already and he has to return. The fielder there picks the ball and fires the throw at the striker's end but misses. Poor from the batters and criminal from the Kiwis as they are in the need of wickets in heaps, if they are to make any comeback in this game. End of an eventful over.

14.5

.

Length ball around off, it is guided towards point.

14.5

5wd

FIVE WIDES! Bennett goes for another short one this time but it is banged way over. Rahul lets it go and the keeper cannot do anything about it either. It sails over him and goes to the fine leg fence.

14.4

4

FOUR! Now, from the middle of the bat and it is FIFTY FOR RAHUL. 2nd in a row and 11th in T20Is! A fuller ball on middle, Rahul gets to the pitch of the ball and lofts it over covers. It goes to the fence on the bounce.

14.3

6

SIX! Wow! Unbelievable! These boundaries are so small. It keeps sailing over! A back of a length ball around off, Rahul looks to pull but gets a leading edge. The ball though flies over the third man fence for a biggie!

14.2

1

Hits the deck hard just outside off, Iyer moves towards his noff stump and looks to pull but the ball goes off his glove for a single.

14.1

.

Good length delivery on off, Iyer defends it calmly.

13.6

1

Length ball on the pads, it is worked towards the leg side for a single.

13.5

.

Short and outside off, Iyer looks to upper cut but misses.

13.4

.

Run out chance missed! A short ball outside off, Iyer looks to cut but the ball takes the inner half of the bat and goes back to the bowler, Rahul wants the run but Iyer does not respond. Rahul is almost halfway in the middle. Tickner throws the ball at the non-striker's end but misses and Rahul returns safely. However, the fielder backing up from mid off fires the throw at the striker's end. He scores the direct hit but replays show that Iyer was in.

13.3

1

Shortish around off, Rahul tucks it towards mid-wicket for a single.

13.2

1

Shortish and outside off, Iyer guides it to third man for a run.

13.1

2

Angles the first ball on the pads of Iyer, he flicks it towards deep square leg for a couple of runs.

Blair Tickner is back on!

12.6

1

Flighted ball outside off, it is fuller too. Iyer drives it to long off for a single. 51 more needed in 7 overs.

12.5

1

Very full ball on middle, Rahul strokes it to long on for a run.

12.4

.

On middle, guided towards point.

12.3

2

Full and outside off, it is eased for a single to deep point.

12.2

.

Flighted fuller ball around off, it is pushed to the left of the bowler who makes a fine stop on that side.

12.1

2

A couple to begin the new over! Short and outside off, Rahul punches it to deep cover and before the fielder can come across to pick the ball up, the batters scampers back for two.

11.6

1

Short and on middle, Rahul pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

11.5

1

Slightly quicker on middle and leg, Shreyas looks to once again hit it towards long on but it goes behind square on the leg side off the inner half of his bat for a single.

11.4

6

SIX! This one is out of here, Iyer was looking for the big one and he has got the ball to free his arms. Shreyas loves to take on the spinners and he has done just that. Tossed up on middle and leg, Iyer goes downtown and sends it a few rows behind the long on fence for a biggie.

11.3

1

On the pads, Rahul turns it to the leg side and rotates the strike.

11.3

1wd

WIDE! Sodhi goes wide outside off, too wide as it it on the wrong side of the tramline.

11.2

1

Shorter on middle and leg, Iyer milks it to long on for an easy single.

11.1

2

Excellent save! A full ball on middle, Iyer skips down the track and looks go downtown. However, the ball takes the inner half of the bat and goes towards fine leg. Tickner from deep square leg runs to his right and makes a diving stop. Rahul though wanted the third but Iyer sends him back. While returning, Iyer drops his bat but manages to return in time. The third umpire has been called in for the confirmation if the save is clean. The third umpire checks multiple angles and then deems it in the favour of the fielder. Two runs taken.

10.6

.

Floated around off, it is blocked off the front foot.

10.5

.

On off, defended.

10.4

.

A quicker one this time, it is slightly on the shorter side too. It skids off the surface. Rahul does well to push back to the bowler.

10.3

1

Fires it on the pads, Iyer whips it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

10.2

1

Bowls a loopy ball around off, Rahul strokes it towards cover and crosses over for a run.

10.1

1

Flatter ball around off, pushed through covers for a single.

9.6

.

Short and outside off, Rahul cuts really well but finds the point fielder. 60/2 at the halfway mark. 73 more needed in the final 10 overs.

9.5

.

Bowls a full ball around off, it is defended towards mid on.

9.4

.

Shortish ball around off, Rahul punches it back to the bowler. Sodhi does well to stop with a dive.

9.3

1

Full and outside off, Iyer looks to flick but the ball hits the toe end of the bat and goes to deep mid-wicket. Only a run.

9.2

1

Shortish and around off, Rahul cuts it to deep cover for a single.

9.1

1

Short and outside off, Iyer pulls it to long on for a single.

8.6

.

Fires it around off, Rahul finds the cover fielder to his drive.

8.5

4

FOUR! Deft touch! A quicker one outside off, Rahul waits for it and at the last moment, almost off the gloves off the keeper guides it to the third man fence. The short third man chases the ball but comes second.

8.4

1

Slower through the air and around off and middle, pushed towards covers for a single.

8.3

1

Short and outside off, KL pushes it to deep cover for another run.

8.2

1

Full and around off, Iyer strokes it to sweeper cover for an easy run.

8.1

1

Flatter one on middle, Rahul tucks it towards square leg for a single. 50 up for India with that run.

7.6

1

Loopy ball on middle, Rahul works it towards the leg side for a single.

7.5

1

Bowls a fuller one on middle, Iyer flicks it to long on for a single.

7.4

1

Loopy ball on middle, Rahul pushes it through mid on for a single.

7.3

2

Short and outside off now, Rahul cuts it to deep point and before Guptill can run across to his left from deep cover, Rahul gets two.

Sodhi delivers the ball but Iyer walks away. Says that he was not ready there.

7.2

1

Flatter and around off, Iyer pushes it to long off for a run.

7.1

1

Short and on middle, it is pulled to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Ish Sodhi is on now.

6.6

1

Tossed up on off, Rahul milks it to long off and keeps the strike. Just 2 off Santner's first. India need 91 off 78 now.

6.5

.

Floated on off, Rahul plays it to point.

6.4

.

Arm ball outside off, Rahul leaves it alone. Seldom do you see a batsman leaving a ball in T20s that too in a chase.

6.3

1

Flighted on off, Shreyas plays it through mid off for a run.

6.2

.

Short again and once again Iyer finds the man at point.

6.1

.

Santner starts with a flatter delivery on off, Shreyas punches it to cover.

Spin time as Mitchell Santner comes into the attack.

5.6

1

Iyer is off the mark. Good length delivery around off, Shreyas drives it on the up to deep point and gets a single. End of a very good spell from Southee inside the Powerplay! Just 12 runs off his 3 overs but more importantly two of the big wickets in the form of Rohit and Kohli. India 40/2 at the end of Powerplay, NZ at the same stage were 48/1.

5.5

.

Bouncer! A well-directed one as well. It is right on the money but Shreyas ducks under it.

5.4

.

Fuller on off, Shreyas defends it off his front foot.

5.3

.

Full around off, Iyer looks to drive on the up but it comes off the inner half of his bat and goes to the leg side.

Shreyas Iyer walks out to the middle. He was the Man of the Match in the last game but he injured his knee in the first innings. Let's see how he copes up with that.

5.2

W

OUT! Caught behind! Brilliant, brilliant take from Seifert behind the wicket. A length ball angled into the pads, Kohli looks to flick but manages just a tickle down the leg side. Seifert flies to his left and snaffles the ball brilliantly. 94 more needed in 88 balls.

5.1

.

Good length ball around off, Kohli guides it towards point.

Tim Southee is back to bowl his third, inside the Powerplay itself.

4.6

.

Full and around off, pushed towards covers. 15 from the over, not what the hosts would've wanted from Tickner.

4.5

6

SIX! Up and over! Runs coming thick and fast for India in this run chase! Short and outside off from Tickner, Rahul simply upper cuts it and the ball sails over the man at third man.

4.4

2

Another couple! A full ball on the pads of Rahul, he flicks it towards deep mid-wicket and bags a couple.

4.3

1

Fuller and around off, guided towards third man for a single.

4.2

2

A couple now! Could've been easily four there. A length ball around off, Kohli punches it straight down the ground. It is too straight and hits the stumps at the other end. It goes wide of the man at mid on and a couple of runs are taken.

4.1

4

FOUR! Lofts it over mid off. A slower one from Tickner but it is outside off, Kohli lofts it and clears the man at mid off. Once the ball goes over, it is destined to reach the fence.

Bowling change! Blair Tickner is on now.

3.6

1

Length ball around off and middle, it is worked behind square leg for a single. 8 from the over.

3.5

.

Full ball just outside off, Kohli pushes it towards backward point and wants a single. However, Rahul says a loud no.

3.4

.

Short ball around off, Kohli looks to upper cut but misses.

3.3

1

Length ball around off, Rahul taps it towards point for a single.

3.2

4

FOUR! Just helps it to the fence! A short of a length ball around off, Rahul short pulls it and it races away to the deep square leg fence. It was timed really well.

3.1

2

Misfield and a couple of runs! A full ball on middle, Rahul flicks it well but it is going straight to short fine leg. Sodhi there misfields and the batters bag a couple. Sodhi does well to get up and stop the ball before it reaches the ropes.

2.6

1

Length ball angled into the pads, Rahul tucks it towards mid-wicket for a single. Another tidy over from Southee. Just 3 from it.

2.5

.

Short and outside off, Rahul goes for the pull but ends up mistiming it to mid on.

2.4

.

Good length ball on off, Rahul pushes it back to the bowler.

2.3

1

Full and on middle, Kohli whips it to deep mid-wicket and takes a run.

2.2

1

Length ball around off, Rahul pushes it towards point and before Munro can stop the ball with a dive, a single taken.

2.1

.

Good length ball around off, Rahul pushes it towards covers.

1.6

.

Full and outside off, Kohli pushes it towards backward point. Fine start from Bennnett too, just 5 from it.

1.5

2

Skipper is off and running now! It is a slower one outside off, Kohli pulls it to the man at wide long on and calls for two straightaway. Completes it easily in the end.

1.4

.

Full and around off, Kohli blocks it towards covers and wants a single but Rahul says a loud no.

1.3

1

Short and on middle, Rahul this time pulls it to deep square leg to go to the other end.

1.2

2

Shortish around off, Rahul taps it through point and bags a couple of runs to get off the mark.

1.1

.

Brilliant start from Bennett! He bends his back and bowls a bumper on the body. Rahul is in two mind there as to whether he should leave it or guide it to third man. In the end he sways away from it and falls down in the process.

Hamish Bennett to bowl from the other end.

Indian skipper, Virat Kohli is the new man in!

0.6

W

OUT! Caught! New Zealand strike in the first over. A full ball outside off, Rohit without any feet movement goes for the drive but the ball takes the outside edge and goes straight to wide first slip. Taylor there makes no mistake and sends Sharma packing. The hosts needed a wicket early on and they have got the dangerous Rohit Sharma back in the hut. They have no time to rest though as this is a very strong Indian batting line-up.

0.5

4

EDGY FOUR! A good length ball around off, it shapes away a touch and squares up Rohit in defense. The ball takes the outside edge and races away to the fence.

0.4

.

Slightly shortish and around off, Rohit taps it towards short third man.

0.3

.

Full and just outside off, pushed towards covers.

0.2

4

FOUR! Rohit and India are underway! Overpitched ball outside off, Rohit leans into the shot and drills it through covers. No need to run for these.

0.1

.

A good length ball around off first up, it is defended towards covers.

We are back for the run chase! The two Indian openers, Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul walk out to the middle. The New Zealand players are already out in the middle. Tim Southee with the ball first up. Here we go...

So 133 is the target for India to take a 2-0 lead in the series. The pitch today looks a lot more difficult to bat on than it did in the first game. Can New Zealand find some inspiration and restrict this batting heavy side or will India march on? Join us in a while for India's chase.

A very good bowling performance from the tourists. They executed their plans very well and hardly gave away any freebies to the New Zealand batters. Jadeja was the star with the ball, picking up two wickets and conceding just 18 off his four. Chahal and Shami went wicketless but were hard to score off. Bumrah went for less than 6 rpo and had a wicket to his name. Dube and Thakur also managed to pick one each with the latter conceding 21 off his 2. Credit has to be given for the way the Indian players fielded as they were on top of their game tonight.

After opting to bat, New Zealand got off to a decent start courtesy of Martin Guptill but Munro struggled from the other end. Once Guptill departed all the Kiwi batters had a hard time. Only two batsmen managed to have a strike rate of over 110. Williamson, de Grandhomme and Taylor all struggled and could never get going. It looked like 130 will be difficult to get but Seifert's 33 not out off 26 in the end managed to take them over 130 and has given New Zealand something to bowl at on this slow-looking surface.

What a brilliant performance from the Indian bowlers. On the same ground and same pitch where the conceded over 200 in the first T20I, they have managed to restrict the hosts for an under-par total of 132!

19.6

1

No he can't! Just a single off the last ball. Bumrah dishes out another low full toss on middle, Seifert does well to whip it towards long on but only for a run. 22/1 in this spell for Jasprit Bumrah. NEW ZEALAND FINISH WITH 132.

19.5

6

SIX! Seifert finally connects one well and bags a vital six runs! A fuller length ball outside off from Bumrah. Seifert lofts it over cover and it sails over the ropes. Can he find the ropes on the final ball?

Mitchell Santner walks in next.

19.4

W

OUT! Caught! Bumrah gets into the wickets column and New Zealand's poor outing with the bat continues. It is a slower one outside off from Bumrah, Taylor goes for the pull but does not time it well at all. It goes towards deep square leg where Rohit Sharma is safe as house.

19.3

1

This time a yorker attempt but it is a low full toss. Seifert can only get a single with a flick to long on.

19.2

.

A slower one from Bumrah and it is another dot ball. Bowls a slower one just outside off, Seifert swings hard but once again fails to make any connection.

19.1

1

A back of a length ball around off, Taylor mistimes his pull over the bowler and can only get a single.

18.6

.

Another wild swing but no connection. A full ball outside off, Seifert swings across but misses. Another very good over for India. 5 from the penultimate over.

18.5

1

Brilliant yorker! It is on off, Taylor can only dig it out to covers for a single.

18.4

1

Scoop attempt now but does not work. A very full ball on middle, Seifert looks to scoop but ends up getting an inside edge onto the pads. Only a single.

18.3

.

Misses out on a full toss! It is just over the stumps. Shami looking for the yorker but misses to end up bowling a full toss. Seifert swings hard but misses.

18.2

1

Full and outside off, Seifert decides to play a paddle sweep but the ball hits his bat and then hits the helmet. A quick single taken as Shami charges in to run out but fails to gather the ball.

18.1

2

Back of a length ball on middle, Taylor pulls it wide of the man at deep square leg and bags a couple.

Mohammed Shami returns.

17.6

.

Brilliant finish to the over. Just 3 from the over. Could've been a wicket too but not to be. A slower one outside off, Seifert looks to drive but can't time it. It goes towards covers where Bumrah collects the ball himself.

17.5

1

Short ball on off, RT pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one.

17.4

1

Yorker on leg, Seifert manages to play it fine down the leg side. Rohit Sharma cleans it up and manages to score a direct hit at the keeper's end but Taylor is in.

17.3

1

In the air and DROPPED! Indian skipper, Virat Kohli who has been a livewire in the field tonight has dropped a real sitter here. Most of the people cannot believe it. Length delivery on off, Taylor looks to flat-bat it straight over but he gets no timing on it. The ball lobs towards long on. Kohli comes in,. settles under it but the ball goes in and out of his hands. The skipper cannot believe it himself. The batters take a single in the meantime.

17.2

.

Another off cutter and another play and miss from Taylor. He is struggling to read Bumrah.

17.1

.

Swing and a miss. Slower ball outside off from Bumrah. Taylor swings his bat but is way too early and misses. Such a smart bowler this man is. You can hardly pick his slower ones.

Death over specialist, Jasprit Bumrah is back in his area of expertise.

16.6

1

Full and outside off, Taylor drills it to long off for a single. End of an excellent spell from Jadeja. 4-0-18-2 from him.

16.6

2wd

WIDE! Jadeja once again bowls a quicker one outside off, it is actually outside the tram line. Rahul fails to collect and the ball goes behind. An extra taken. Wided too.

16.5

1

Full and outside off, this time Taylor sweeps and connects. It goes to deep square leg on the bounce for a single.

16.4

.

Fires it outside off again, Taylor looks for the slog sweep but connects with thin air only.

16.3

1

Shortish ball around off, pushed through covers for a single.

16.2

.

Excellent stop from the skipper once again. He has been leading from the front. A short one from Jadeja outside off, Seifert cuts it hard but can't beat Kohli at point.

16.1

.

NOT OUT! Seifert survives! Jadjea bowls a quicker one just outside off, Seifert looks to reverse sweep but misses. Rahul whips the bails off quickly and appeals. The third umpire has been called in. The replays roll in and show that Seifert is fine. He did lift his leg there but grounded it just in time.

Stumping appeal taken upstairs. Seifert looks to be in but but let's see what the replays have to say.

16.1

1wd

WIDE! But this is smart bowling! Seeing Seifert moving across the off stump, Jadjea bowls it wide. Seifert sweeps but misses.

15.6

1

Flatter and outside off, it is driven to long off for a single. 15 from the over. 4-0-33-0 from Chahal for the night.

15.5

2

A couple now! Chahal bowls it short and on middle, Seifert pulls it to wide of the man at deep mid-wicket. Before the fielder can get to the ball, the batters run through a brace.

15.4

6

SIX! Up and over! 10 from the last 2 balls. Much-needed runs coming now for the Kiwis in this over! Chahal bowls a flighted ball outside off, Seifert slams it over long off for a biggie.

15.3

4

FOUR! This was hit really hard and it should break the shackles. A full ball outside off from Chahal, Seifert drills it through the covers. Shami runs across to his left but he cannot get to it.

15.2

1

Loopy ball outside off, Taylor drags it to deep mid-wicket with a sweep. Just a single.

15.1

1

Shorter outside off, Seifert dabs it to the left of point and looks for a quick run. Jadeja gets to the ball quickly and sends a flat bullet throw. It just about misses the stumps allowing Taylor to get in. Even if he had it Taylor might have marginally made it.

14.6

1

Another fuller ball on the stumps, it is pushed for a single to long on. Another very tidy over from Jadeja.

14.5

1

Fires it on the line of the stumps, Taylor pushes it towards mid on and takes a single. Jadeja himself chases the ball down and keeps it to a run.

14.4

1

Short and outside off, Seifert cuts it uppishly to deep point for a single.

14.3

.

Around off, pushed back to the bowler.

14.2

1

On the pads, it is eased to square leg for a singe.

14.1

.

Extra bounce there and Rahul does really well to grab it. It is a shorter one from Jadeja. Seifert looks to defend but misses.

13.6

1

Full and on middle, Taylor pushes it to long on for a single.

13.5

1

Flatter and outside off, Seifert punches it for a single to deep cover.

13.4

.

Just short! A full ball outside off, Seifert drives it uppsihly but it falls just short of Kohli at covers.

13.3

1

Fires it on middle, Taylor tucks it towards mid-wicket and takes a single.

13.2

1

Slightly shortish ball, it is tapped through covers for a single.

13.1

2

A very full ball outside off, Seifert moves across and paddles it towards fine leg for a couple of runs.

Yuzvendra Chahal is back on. 2-0-12-0 from him so far.

12.6

1

Tossed up on middle, Seifert milks it down to long on and keeps the strike.

12.5

1

Floated on middle and leg, Taylor works it down the leg side and gets to the other end.

12.4

1

On the pads, Seifert turns it to the leg side and gets a single to get off the mark.

Tim Seifert is in now.

12.3

W

OUT! Caught! Williamson holes out and India are all over New Zealand. The Kiwi skipper is the latest casualty and they are falling further behind in this game. Runs have dried up and Williamson decides to take on Jadeja. A bold decision but not the smart one as Jadeja is a very difficult bowler to hit. It is bowled slightly slower on middle and leg, Williamson gets down on one knee and looks to go for the big slog sweep. He ends up finding the man at deep mid-wicket to perfection and Chahal there takes a simple catch.

12.2

1

On the pads, Taylor turns it behind square on the leg side and gets a single.

12.1

1

Short and around off, Williamson cuts it to deep point and gets a single.

11.6

1

On a length around off, KW plays it to point for a run. Just 16 off the last 4 overs and New Zealand are clearly struggling to adapt here.

11.5

1

On the pads, Taylor looks to flick, the ball kisses the inside edge and goes to the leg side off his pad. They take a single.

11.4

1

Very good ball but also very well played. Yorker on off, Williamson goes on his back foot and dabs it guides it down to third man for a single.

11.3

.

Full outside off, Williamson pushes it to cover.

The Physio walks out to the middle to check Kane Williamson. Time for the mandatory concussion tests. He is fine to continue.

11.2

.

Ouch, that must have rocked Williamson. Bouncer from Shami, it skids off the surface. Williamson looks to pull but misses and the ball hits him flush on the helmet. The Indian players have a check on him and Williamson looks fine as he has a word with KL Rahul and smiles.

11.1

.

Length delivery on off, Williamson drives it but finds cover.

Change in bowling! Mohammed Shami is back on. 2-0-14-0 from him so far.

10.6

1

Shorter on off, KW punches it to the off side and keeps the strike. Excellent start from Jadeja, just 3 runs and a wicket off his first.

10.5

1

On the pads, Taylor glances it towards mid-wicket and gets off the mark with a single.

10.4

.

Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

10.3

.

Flighted on off, Taylor defends it off the front foot to start his innings.

Ross Taylor joins his skipper out in the middle.

10.2

W

OUT! Caught and bowled! Jadeja strikes in the very second ball of his first over. Slightly slower through the air on off, de Grandhomme looks to drive but he checks his shot. Colin ends up lobbing it back to Jadeja. He is one of the best fielders going around and this is a catch he will grab even in his sleep. New Zealand's power-hitter is also out of here and the Kiwis are struggling.

10.1

1

Jadeja starts with a flatter delivery on off and middle, Williamson punches it towards cover and gets a single.

Ravindra Jadeja is into the attack for the first time today.

9.6

1

Length ball around off, Williamson guides it towards third man for a single. Another brilliant over from Bumrah, just 4 from it. New Zealand are 73/2 at the halfway mark.

9.5

1

Full ball on middle, de Grandhomme pushes it to long on for a single.

9.4

1

Direct hit and Williamson would've been heading to the pavilion. A length ball around off, Williamson guides it towards point. De Grandhomme wants the single, Williamson responds a bit late. Jadeja picks the ball and fires the throw at the striker's end but misses.

9.3

.

Another length ball around off, Williamson tucks it towards mid-wicket.

9.2

.

Length ball around off, it is pushed towards the man at point.

9.1

1

Very full ball on off, de Grandhomme does well to dig it out towards covers for a single.

Bowling change! Jasprit Bumrah is back on.

8.6

1

Length outside off, Colin cuts it to deep point and gets a single. End of a very good over from Shivam Dube, 6 runs and a wicket off this one.

8.5

.

Dube welcomes Colin de Grandhomme with a bouncer. He ducks under it.

Colin de Grandhomme is in at no. 4.

8.4

W

OUT! Caught! Virat Kohli takes another catch and this one is even better than the last one. Munro's struggle comes to an end. He never got going tonight and both the openers are back in the hut for the hosts. Dube gets his first and India are in the driver's seat at the moment. Length delivery outside off, Munro looks to go over extra cover but does not get the elevation he is looking for. He ends up hitting it flat towards extra cover. Kohli there dives forward and takes the second catch of the game.

8.3

4

FOUR! That was a boundary as soon as it came off the bat. Back of a length on off, Munro this time is patient and pulls it over mid-wicket, just wide of the fielder in the deep and gets a boundary.

8.2

.

Back of a length outside off, Dube rolls his fingers on it. Munro makes room and looks to go over covers but hits it off the lower half of his bat.

8.1

1

Full around off, Williamson looks to go over covers but it goes off the inner half towards long on for a single.

7.6

.

Flighted outside off, Munro looks to sweep but misses.

7.5

1

Around the pads, Williamson flicks it to the leg side for a single.

7.4

1

Floated on the stumps, Munro sweeps it to the right of square leg. Dube loses the ball but does well to recover and keep it down to one.

7.3

1

Flighted on off, KW punches it to the off side for a single.

7.2

2

Chahal drags it short. Williamson pulls it with power to the right of deep mid-wicket. Manish Pandey there gets down and saves the ball. The batters look for two, Pandey sends a decent throw towards the keeper but Rahul disturbs the stumps with his leg in his effort to collect it in front of the stumps.

7.1

.

Floated on the pads, Williamson dabs it to mid-wicket.

Yuzvendra Chahal is back on. 1-0-7-0 from him so far.

6.6

1

Good length ball around off, it is pushed to long on for a single.

6.5

1

Full and around off, it is firmly hit to long off for a single.

6.4

.

Full ball around middle, Munro tries to go hard but ends up getting it off the inner half of the bat. It goes to the bowler.

6.3

6

SIX! That has sailed over! Unbelievable! Another length ball on middle, Murno moves towards the off side and looks to paddle it. He does not middle it at all but it sails way over the fine leg fence.

6.2

1

Another length ball on middle from Dube, Williamson tucks it towards deep mid-wicket to get off the mark. 50 up for the Kiwis.

6.1

1

A length ball around middle and leg, Munro works it towards deep square leg for a run.

Skipper, Kane Williamson, walks in next. He was in fine form in the last game. Can he do something similar here as well? Also, change in bowling as Shivam Dube comes into the attack.

5.6

W

OUT! Caught! Shardul has the last laugh and India draw first blood. Big wicket for India as Munro has been struggling at the other end and Guptill was looking in the mood. Full outside off, Guptill looks to go over on the off side with no foot movement. He does not connect well at all. The ball goes high in the air but the distance it travels is minimal. It goes up and Kohli at mid off judges the skier and takes it comfortably. The Indian skipper is pumped and India have managed to strike right at the end of the Powerplay. New Zealand 48/1 at the end of the first phase! 19 short from what they were a couple of days back in the first T20I!

5.5

.

Swing and a miss. Outside off, MG throws his bat but connects with thin air.

5.4

4

FOUR! Slightly overpitched and Guptill is onto it in a flash. Full on off, Guptill goes aerial over mid on. He does not time it well but there is no one in the deep so he fetches himself another boundary.

5.3

4

FOUR! Short on the body and punished from Guptill. On the pads, Guptill has no problem lofting his flick over mid-wicket for a boundary.

5.2

1lb

Collision but no harm done. Back of a length on the body, Munro looks to pull but misses. The ball hits him on the body and lobs forward. Guptill calls for a run and Munro responds. Thakur goes charging to the ball, he collides with Thakur who is floored down but he seems fine. He is angry but health-wise he looks alright.

5.1

.

Shardul bangs it in slightly short and the ball skids off the surface. Munro looks to pull but misses. He is struggling completely here. A boundary will do him a world of good.

Shardul Thakur is back after going for 13 in the first over of the game.

4.6

.

An appeal for LBW from Chahal but it was probably going down leg. It is a slower one on the pads, Guptill looks to go big on the leg side but he is early into the shot. He misses to get hit on the pads. The bowler appeals but nothing from the umpire. 7 from Chahal's first.

4.5

1

Shortish length around off, Munro pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

4.4

1

Full and around off, it is eased for a run to long off.

4.3

1

Tries for the switch hit but another inside edge is induced. It is a fuller ball around off from Chahal. It hits the pads and rolls towards point. They take off for the run, Jadeja quickly comes across, picks the ball up and fires the throw at the keeper's end. Guptill is quick though and is in safely before Rahul can whip the bails off.

4.2

.

Sharp turn there! It pitches on middle and turns. Murno looks to guide it to third man but gets an inside edge on the pads.

4.1

4

FOUR! Welcome into the attack, Mr. Chahal, says Munro. Chahal bowls a loopy ball on middle, Munro gets in position and sweeps it over square leg. There is no protection in the deep and it races away to the fence.

Change in bowling! Time for some spin as Yuzvendra Chahal is into the attack.

3.6

3

Another excellent fielding effort from India and this time it is the skipper who is leading from the front. Full around off, Munro drives it through covers. This has four written all over it but Virat Kohli runs to his right from mid off and puts in a vital dive to save it before the ropes. Saves a run for his side. Kohli said they were looking to improve their fielding and the previous two balls suggest they have done that.

3.5

1

Superb fielding from Manish Pandey and he has saved a certain boundary. Full on off, Guptill whips it to the right of deep mid-wicket. It looks a certain boundary but Manish Pandey swiftly moves to his right and manages to stop the ball before the ropes, keeping it down to one.

3.4

4

FOUR! Pulled away with disdain! Back of a length on off and middle, Guptill gets on his back foot and pulls it with power over mid-wicket for a boundary.

3.3

1

Direct hit and Munro might have been in trouble. Length ball around the pads at 141 kph. Munro looks to flick but ends up getting a leading edge which goes towards mid off. Shreyas Iyer stationed at mid off charges to the ball and tries to score a direct hit on the dive but misses.

3.2

.

Another dot ball and Munro must be getting frustrated out there. This is smart bowling from Shami. This time he goes wide outside off, Munro clears his front leg and swings his bat at it but misses.

3.1

.

India continue their plan to Munro. Once again Shami hits the deck hard and bowls it close to the body. Munro dances down the track and looks to pull but misses.

2.6

.

Brilliant bouncer to end the over! Just 5 from it. Bumrah bends his back and bowls this one around off, Guptill initially wanted to upper cut it but in the end did well to sway away from the firing line. Two tight overs from the Indians.

2.5

2

Bumrah goes for the yorker but dishes out a low full toss. Guptill flicks it wide of the man at long on and runs a brace.

2.4

1

Very full ball around off, Munro flicks it to mid on and takes another single.

2.3

.

Now a length ball which is angled away from the left-hander. It pitches on middle and goes a hint away. Munro blocks it towards covers nicely.

2.2

1

A quick run! This time Bumrah goes full and bowls it just outside off, Guptill pushes it to mid off and takes a run.

2.1

1

A length ball on off and middle from Bumrah to start his spell. Murno tucks it towards deep square leg and changes his end.

Jasprit Bumrah is on now.

1.6

4

FOUR! No he cannot! The last ball is thrashed away to the fence but still a very good start for Shami. Just 5 off his first. Length delivery outside off, Guptill hangs on his back foot and cuts it with pure venom through the point region for a boundary.

1.5

.

Excellent over so far! Good length delivery around off, Guptill cannot do much but just defend it off his back foot. Just the single off the first 5 balls. Can he end the over well?

1.4

.

Length delivery outside off, Guptill looks to slash but does not time it at all.

1.3

1

In the air but right between first slip and short third man. Munro is off the mark with his heart in his mouth. Slightly shorter ball down the leg side, Murno looks to pull but ends up getting a top edge which flies over first slip. Sharma runs behind from there, Thakur runs to his right from short third man but the ball falls in the gap and spins away allowing Munro to take a run.

1.2

.

Once again Shami hits the deck hard and close to the body. Munro defends it off the back foot.

1.1

.

Shami starts with a length ball on the pads, Munro looks to flick but misses and gets hit on the pads.

Mohammed Shami to bowl from the other end.

0.6

.

Good ball to end the over but Shardul showing frustration as well. Good length delivery on the stumps. Guptill defends it back to the bowler. Shardul sends a wild throw to the left of keeper. Luckily for Thakur, Rahul is ready and collects it. 13 off the first over.

0.6

1wd

WIDE! Shardul misses his line and sprays one down the leg side. Martin looks to flick but misses. Wided by the umpire.

0.5

.

Very good comeback from Shardul. Much better delivery from him. He goes very full and outside off, Guptill looks to connect but misses.

0.4

6

SIX! Back-to-back sixes. Two dots and two sixes off the first 4 balls. Thakur bangs it in short around the body. Not a bad ball from him. Guptill goes for the pull, he gets a top edge but it flies over the fine leg fence.

0.3

6

SIX! New Zealand and Guptill are off the mark in style. First runs of the day and it is a maximum. Length delivery outside off, Guptill goes aerial and lofts it over covers for the first biggie of the game. Expect a lot more of these just like the first T20I.

0.2

.

Not a lot of swing on this one. It just comes in with the angle. It is on a length on off and middle. Guptill shuffles across and flicks it but finds mid-wicket.

0.1

.

Shardul starts with a good length delivery right on off pole. A little bit of away swing for the pacer first up. Guptill shows respect to this delivery and defends it with a straight bat to start his innings.

Done and dusted with the national anthems and we are all set for the action to begin! Indian skipper, Virat Kohli is giving last words of inspiration in the huddle as his side get set to take their respective positions in the field. Colin Munro and Martin Guptill stride out to the middle to open the innings for the hosts. Shardul Thakur to start the proceedings with the ball.

Both set of players walk out to the middle for the respective national anthems. First up it will be the visitors followed by New Zealand's. We are just a few moments away from the start of the action.

India (Playing XI) - Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul (WK), Virat Kohli (C), Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube, Manish Pandey, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah.

New Zealand (Playing XI) - Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Kane Williamson (C), Colin de Grandhomme, Ross Taylor, Tim Seifert (WK), Mitchell Santner, Blair Tickner, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Hamish Bennett.

Indian skipper, Virat Kohli says that they wanted to bowl first anyway after their brilliant run chase in the last game. Adds that had him or Rahul batted till the end, then they could have won the game with two overs to spare. Adds that the pitch looks like a gun wicket so he is happy. Kohli hopes that they can improve the fielding where they can save 10-15 runs. On how the team is feeling, Kohli says they have slept well and adds they did not show any signs of jet lag in the last game. Tells they came back well with the ball in the first T20I as at one stage it looked like New Zealand were on course to score around 230. On his team changes, Kohli informs they are going with the same eleven from the last game.

New Zealand skipper, Kane Williamson says that it is a used surface and he does not expect dew to play a part like the last game hence the decision. Hopes that the pitch slows down later on but says that they need to do a job with the bat first. On what he expects to improve, Williamson says that he hopes that the team can play with freedom. On the team changes, Williamson says they are unchanged.

TOSS - We are all in readiness for the toss. New Zealand skipper, Kane Williamson has the coin in hand. Up it goes, Indian skipper, Virat Kohli calls Heads but it comes down as Tails. NEW ZEALAND OPT TO BAT!

Pitch Report - Mike Hesson and Sunil Gavaskar are down with the pitch report. Gavaskar says that it is the same pitch as the one used in the first T20I. He expects the pitch to play the same but feels there can be some extra spin on offer for the spinners as the groundsmen would have watered it a bit more. Hesson says the grass cover is very good and the pitch has not been damaged so even he expects there to be plenty of runs on offer.

Happy Republic Day to everyone from India and on this big day we welcome you to the coverage of second T20I between New Zealand and India. The tourists sent out a big statement chasing down a big target of 204 with relative ease. Virat Kohli and co. will be looking to once again repeat their performance with the bat but at the same time improve with the ball in hand. New Zealand, on the other hand, will be looking to bounce back from that defeat and level the 5-match series. Their death bowling was found wanting in the previous match and skipper, Kane Williamson will be looking to sort that out. Can India make it 2-0 and continue to show their dominance in world cricket or will the Kiwis make a comeback?

Match Center

2nd T20I, Auckland, January 26, 2020, 12:20 PM

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