Between 2nd T20Is India and New Zealand There have been significant changes in India’s bowling dynamics at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur. captain Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and elected to bowl first, citing the presence of evening dew and India’s desire to test their chasing skills ahead of the global event. While the Raipur crowd is eager to see a full-strength Indian attack, the playing XI has two glaring omissions in the bowling and all-round departments. These tactical and forced changes come at a time when India are looking to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series after a dominant 48-run win in the opener.
IND vs NZ, 2nd T20I: Why Jasprit Bumrah and Axar Patel miss 2nd T20I in Raipur
Absence jasprit bumrah and vice-captain Akhar Patel Raipur T20I is a strategic decision based on long-term fitness management T20 World Cup 2026 only three weeks left.
Stream exclusion is mandatory; while trying to return, he suffered a painful blow to the index finger of his bowling hand Daryl Mitchell At the Nagpur opening. The injury resulted in significant bleeding and required immediate medical attention, prompting the team management to rest him today as a precaution to ensure the wound is fully healed before the start of the tournament.
Bumrah, on the other hand, was rested as part of India’s workload management program to keep his key pace weapons fresh for the high-intensity World Cup schedule. With a jam-packed schedule, the BCCI medical team is taking zero risks with the workload of high-speed bowlers on the Raipur surface, which can be especially demanding for the bowlers.
In their absence, India brought Kuldeep Yadav and Harshit RanaRana made his debut in the series especially after showing impressive all-round form in the last ODI series. This rotation allows India to test their bench strength and gives Kuldeep a chance to regain his rhythm, even if it thins the batting depth normally provided by Akhar at number eight.
“We have two changes – Akhar missed out because he was hit in the last over. Bumrah is rested tonight. So Harshit and Kuldeep come in.” Suryakumar said during the shoot.
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New Zealand’s comeback quest and three changes in the 2nd T20I
New Zealand arrived in Raipur with urgency, making three significant changes to their squad and playing 11th as they try to level the series. After struggling to keep up Abhishek Sharma’He drafted the experienced Black Caps with 35-84 at Nagpur Matt Henry and Zachary Foulkes to strengthen their tempo attack by replacing Christian Clarke and Kyle Jamieson and Tim Siefert Replaced Robinson.
Furthermore, the visitors were forced to make a squad change for the upcoming World Cup and named Jamieson as a permanent substitute. Adam Milne was injuredHe was sidelined during SA20 due to torn kneecaps. The series is currently 1-0 in India’s favour, but the remaining three games in Guwahati, Visakhapatnam and Thiruvananthapuram promise high-scoring thrillers on batting-friendly tracks.
New Zealand will rely heavily on form Glenn Phillips and Mitchell to counter India’s Kuldeep and spin duo Varun Chakraborty. A win for India tonight would virtually seal the series, but the Kiwis showed in the previous ODI leg that they are adept at bouncing back from early setbacks to script a historic result on Indian soil.
“We have three changes – Seifert for Robinson, Christian Clarke, Zach Foulkes and Matt Henry for Jamieson.” Santner said.
