India's likely XI for 2nd T20I against New Zealand at Hagley Oval

India will face New Zealand in the second T20I of the five-match series at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Saturday, October 24, 2026, following India's victory in the opening match. Wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has been ruled out with a low-grade right adductor strain.

New Zealand posted 225 in the first T20I, but India chased the target with four wickets left and two balls to spare. Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma put on a 93-run opening partnership; Samson scored 67 off 33 balls and Naman Dhir remained unbeaten on 42 off just 15 deliveries. India’s bowlers conceded a large total and will need to tighten up after that game.

Kishan’s absence opens the door for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to return to the playing XI, and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is likely to open alongside Abhishek Sharma. The 15-year-old could get another chance at the international level following Ishan’s injury, which was sustained during the first T20I.

If Vaibhav is introduced at the top, Samson could move to No. 3. Samson has already shown he can play attacking cricket at the top of the order, and his experience could help India maintain momentum in the middle overs.

With Samson at three, Shreyas Iyer and Tilak Varma are expected to handle the middle overs while Nitish Kumar Reddy and Naman Dhir would occupy finishing roles. The selectors’ preferred balance for the remainder of the innings appears to hinge on that rearrangement.

India’s likely playing XI for the second T20I against New Zealand: Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Sanju Samson, Shreyas Iyer (C), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav.

The second T20I will take place on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.