India v New Zealand live updates, 2nd T20I 2021: Score, commentary, where to watch | IND vs NZ

India v New Zealand, 2nd T20I: Live score card

Right. That will be that from us for this game. Don’t go too far away though as these two sides lock horns again on Sunday – this time at Kolkata! Till then, this is me signing off. Goodbye, stay safe!

The game began at a frenetic pace and ebbed and flowed throughout New Zealand’s batting Power Play. To an extent, the Kiwis also had the better of the early exchanges. However, once India grew into their game and assumed control through their spinners, they never looked back. Axar, Ashwin and Harshal were excellent with their variations, with Bhuvneshwar and Chahar complementing them perfectly. From the Kiwis’ perspective, they could never really recover after Guptill’s dismissal as they kept sliding further.

In the second half, there were moments when the Black Caps would have thought that they were in the game, especially as they induced a post Power Play lull. Yet, when Rahul and Rohit began opening up their shoulders, there was hardly anything New Zealand could do. In essence, the openers had won India the game by the 15th over. And, though there was the odd bobble (read Southee’s triple wicket spell), it wasn’t enough to trigger a collapse as India romped home with the series.

Over 17.2: India 155-3 – Pant finishes things off in style

Pant never dies wondering – rightly said. Just a couple of days ago, there were murmurs of discontent that Pant had unnecessarily taken the game deep. Today, he whacks a couple of sixes and gets the job done. Series sealed and India are looking close to their best again!

Over 17: India 143-3 – India on the brink of victory

India haven’t been very assertive in the past couple of overs. However, the good work they did earlier means that they are only 11 runs away from victory now. A couple of lusty blows could finish the deal in this over itself.

Over 16: India 137-3 – Three for Southee

Just as we were building Suryakumar up, he has a loose waft at a wide delivery and chops it on. Southee keeps chipping away at the wickets but the paucity of runs mean that India are still in control of this game. Rishabh Pant in at 5!

No surprises this time as Suryakumar Yadav walks out at No.4. Not many runs to get but he will want to finish off the game this time round.

Over 15.3: India 135-2 – Southee gets his counterpart

New Zealand’s pacers have been reluctant to change the pace. Interestingly enough, both the wickets have fallen to off-pace deliveries. As we enter the home stretch, the Kiwis might contemplate what could’ve been, especially if they had used their variations a bit more.

Over 15: India 134-1 – Rohit continues on his merry way

Venkatesh has struggled a little since his arrival but Rohit has ensured that the pressure has not built up. He has also brought up his half-century in the process and seems intent on finishing things off himself.

Surprise surprise! Venkatesh Iyer is the new man at the crease! Massive opportunity for the all-rounder to prove his worth!

Over 13.2: India 117-1 – Southee breaks through

Southee has finally broken through for New Zealand. But is it too little too late? India only require 37 runs off 40 balls and have an array of stroke-makers to follow. Surely they’ll not make a meal of this?

Over 13: India 116-0 – India in cruise control

The Indian batters have switched through the gears seamlessly and the Kiwis haven’t had any answers. The victory seems a mere formality now. However, this seemed to be the case at Jaipur too before India stuttered and stumbled. Is there a twist left in this tale?

Over 11: India 92-0 – Rahul gets in on the act

Both openers are now taking turns to go after the Kiwi bowlers and these are not good signs if you are a New Zealand fan. Two more overs of such carnage and the game would well be beyond the Black Caps.

Over 10: India 79-0 – Rohit lays into Santner

Despite the dropped catch, the intent seemed clear from Rohit. He wants to take down the Kiwis and wants to get India ahead of the game. It will be interesting to see if he adopts a similar tack against Sodhi but you expect Rohit to continue shifting through the gears now.

Update: The ball has soaked up plenty of dew and the umpires have asked for it to be replaced. India now have to go after the rate with a relatively drier ball. Fasten your seat-belts folks! There is something brewing!

Over 8: India 57-0 – Kiwis zipping through the overs

The Black Caps’ spinners are coming into their own now and have hardly given the Indian batters any freebies. So far, Rahul and Rohit have been content to play them out. But how long can they afford to keep doing so? Something might give in the next couple of overs.

Rahul and Rohit bring up yet another fifty-run partnership. This, by the way, is their fifth consecutive fifty-run stand in T20Is. Remarkable! India 50-0 after 6.4 overs!

Over 6: India 45-0 – Strong end to the Power Play for India

India didn’t score a lot in the last two overs but the fact that they have not lost any wickets is crucial. This will definitely force the Kiwis to search for wickets, which, in turn, could lead to more run-scoring opportunities for India. Rahul and Rohit versus the spinners could shape the outcome of this game.

Over 4: India 32-0 – Rahul and Rohit tear into Milne

The Indian openers have now put their foot down and it could spell danger for the Kiwis. In fact, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Rahul and Rohit looks to capitalize on the rest of the Power Play and break the back of this run-chase. Expect the shots to flow!

Over 3: India 18-0 – Tight over by Santner

The ball, in contrast to expectations, held in the surface and bounced a little extra too. Is that a sign of things to come or is this over going to be the exception to the norm? Well, New Zealand would hope that it continues assisting the spinners. They have 7 more spin-bowling overs.

Spin into the attack. Santner to bowl the 3rd over, just like Axar did for India!

Over 2: India 16-0 – Rahul looking in sparkling touch

Rahul missed out at Jaipur but in T20I cricket, he rarely endures two bad outings on the spin. Today, he has looked a class above all the other batters to have batted so far and has timed the ball beautifully. If the Kiwis can’t get rid of him, this one could be over quickly.

Over 1: India 8-0 – A hint of swing for Southee

Southee didn’t get the ball to move as prodigiously as the Indian pacers did. But there is just enough in the air to keep him interested. Rahul handled the threat relatively well, although it remains to be seen how he and Rohit fare against Boult, who will look to shape the ball into both batters.

Update: There is a slight delay as Seifert seems to have stepped onto the stump mic and created a cavity. India are 6-0 after o.2 overs though!

Right. We are back for the run chase. Rahul and Rohit to open. Southee with the new ball for New Zealand. Here we go!

New Zealand began like a runaway train and notched up 64 runs in the Power Play alone. However, once Guptill was dismissed, they weren’t really able to generate the same kind of momentum. Chapman and Mitchell tried their best but eventually perished to the tackiness of the surface and the dexterity of the Indian bowlers. Phillips also looked very good during his vigil but fell at perhaps the wrong juncture, meaning that the Kiwis huffed and puffed at the death.

From India’s perspective, they would be thrilled with how they pulled things back. Harshal Patel was superb on debut, whereas Bhuvneshwar and Chahar also overcame tough starts. Ashwin and Axar applied the squeeze through the middle, meaning that the Black Caps, despite a stellar Power Play, couldn’t really capitalize.

At the half-way stage, it seems that India hold all the aces. Not just because there aren’t many demons in the surface but also because there is a lot of dew. Having said that, there is a bit of tennis-ball bounce – something that the Kiwis would look to exploit. If that is enough is another matter altogether but it is something to cling on to, for now.

Over: New Zealand 153-6 – Kiwis end up with 153

It was a massive struggle for the Black Caps at the death and it followed a similar pattern in the final over too. Another over riddled with an assortment of slower deliveries and the Kiwis have left themselves with a mountain to climb now.

Over 19: New Zealand 146-6 – Kiwis ambling along

The Kiwis have just not been able to pick the slower deliveries India have bowled. They have swung at those balls wildly and have, rather unsurprisingly, not been rewarded. The pitch, meanwhile, has portrayed a bit of tennis-ball bounce and that is something to keep an eye on.

Over 18: New Zealand 140-6 – New Zealand spiraling

New Zealand have been a bit one-dimensional with their approach and haven’t been able to get on top of the Indian bowlers. The hosts have bowled a variety of slower deliveries and have used the bigger boundaries to their advantage. With Neesham back in the shed, there isn’t a lot of hope left for the Kiwis too.

Over 16.3: New Zealand 137-5 – Harshal gets another

Phillips was looking to pile the pressure on Harshal but he succumbs. He picks the right delivery and the right shot but just does not get enough timing. Harshal keeps finding ways to pick wickets and this could have a massive bearing on the Kiwis’ eventual score.

Ashwin finishes with figures of 4-0-18-1. Another brilliant display by the veteran, who is slowly and surely casting himself as an indispensable cricketer in India’s T20I setup! New Zealand 128-4 after 16 overs!

Over 15.1: New Zealand 125-4 – Ashwin gets rid of Seifert

Seifert was looking twitchy in the last over too and that is perhaps a sign that New Zealand aren’t content with 160-165. That perhaps comes at a cost, though and a lot depends on how Neesham and Phillips fare henceforth. Remember, there isn’t a lot of batting to follow.

Over 15: New Zealand 125-3 – Phillips keeps Kiwis in the hunt

Phillips has already amassed 96 sixes in T20 cricket this year – the highest of any batter too. New Zealand, though, would hope that he continues in a similar vein and breaches the 100-six barrier tonight. India need to ensure they don’t let their advantage slip.

Bhuvneshwar returns for the 15th over. New Zealand are 114-3 after 14 overs!

Over 13: New Zealand 102-3 – India in control

India have constantly chipped away at the wickets and they now find themselves in a position of strength. The run rate has also dipped below 8 runs per over and you feel the Kiwis will have to produce something special to get up to 170-180.

Tim Seifert is the new man in for New Zealand. Remember, he has an exceptional record against India in T20Is.

Over 11.2: New Zealand 89-3 – Harshal picks up his maiden international wicket

Harshal’s slower ones were tough to pick in the IPL and it seems that that trend is continuing. Mitchell is deceived by an off-pace delivery and New Zealand are in a bit of bother now. Their momentum has been arrested and they have two relatively new batters at the crease now.

Over 10: New Zealand 84-2 – India turning the screw

India have stitched together a few tight overs and they have also gotten rid of the in-form Chapman. With Phillips still struggling to pick Ashwin’s variations, this is the ideal opening for India to apply further pressure and force the Kiwis to do something they ordinarily wouldn’t.

Over 8.5: New Zealand 79-2 – Axar gets Chapman

Axar does just enough in the air to deceive Chapman and cut short his stay. The ball might just have stuck in the surface too and it will be interesting to see if the pitch starts holding up as the ball gets old. Dew, though, adds a different dimension to it.

Spin from both ends. Axar returns for the 9th over. NZ are 73-1 after 8 overs.

Over 7: New Zealand 69-1 – Tidy start for Harshal

Harshal, as expected, bowled a few slower deliveries in that over. The batters did pick them, although they weren’t really able to capitalize on it. A couple of overs of a similar ilk and the Kiwis will start feeling the urge to increase the tempo again.

Harshal Patel to bowl the 7th over. Remember, he is making his T20I debut tonight!

Over 6: New Zealand 64-1 – Chapman gets into his work

Ashwin had bowled a decent over but he tries something different at the end and gets punished – much like the 1st T20I. Chapman has not faced any problems so far and the early indications are that this pitch might not be as hard to get acclimatized to.

Ravichandran Ashwin into the attack now. He enjoyed some success against Chapman at Jaipur!

Over 4.2: New Zealand 48-1 – Chahar breaks the game open

Chahar stuck to his guns and has reaped the rewards. He, rather uncharacteristically, went short. Perhaps that was a reaction to the six the previous ball and the way Guptill was hit on the helmet an over ago. Either way, India wouldn’t mind. This is the wicket they wanted. And, now, they have it!

Over 4: New Zealand 42-0 – India under the pump

The ball has stopped swinging and the hosts are well and truly under the pump. The Kiwis have also managed to change the bowlers’ lengths and it already seems like India are in for a long evening of bowling. They need a wicket and they need it quickly.

Update: Guptill has been struck on the helmet by a Bhuvneshwar bouncer. The physio has performed his mandatory concussion tests and the batter looks fine to continue!

Martin Guptill has become the highest run-scorer in T20I cricket, surpassing Virat Kohli! What a player he has been for the Kiwis in the shortest format!

Over 3: New Zealand – Axar pulls things back a touch

A bit of calm after the early Kiwi storm. Not a single ball spun though and Axar was furiously using the towel to dry the ball. There is a lot of dew already at the ground and to an extent, it could just level things up. Interesting to see if India use more pacers tonight.

Spin into the attack. Axar Patel to bowl the 3rd over!

Over 2: New Zealand 24-0 Mitchell stamps his authority too

A couple of boundaries means that Mitchell has signaled his intentions too. The Kiwis want to make the most of the Power Play and have already succeeded in forcing the Indian bowlers to pull back their lengths. Can Bhuvneshwar and Chahar hold their nerve and bowl full?

Over 1: New Zealand 14-0 – High-octane start

The first over had everything. The ball swung big, Guptill threw his bat at literally each delivery and got himself three boundaries as well. And, of course, a dropped catch. The intent is clear from New Zealand. They want to utilize the Power Play. With the ball swinging, it could be the right ploy, considering the bowlers will have to change their lengths.

New Zealand were surprisingly subdued in the Power Play at Jaipur. A lot of that was down to the swing Bhuvneshwar Kumar generated. With dew already making its mark tonight, could the Indian pacers rekindle something similar or will the Kiwis nudge ahead at the outset? We will find out in a few minutes!

It will be interesting to see the approach New Zealand undertake. They will know that they need a few extra runs, owing to the dew. But they also need to ensure that they don’t go too hard too early and leave themselves tottering.

Playing XIs!

New Zealand XI: Martin Guptill, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Adam Milne, Tim Southee (C), Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult

India XI: Rohit Sharma (C), KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, Venkatesh Iyer, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Harshal Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Deepak Chahar

India win the toss and field first; Milne, Neesham and Sodhi return!

So that’s two in two for Rohit Sharma as India’s permanent T20I skipper. The reasons for bowling first remain the same – a total in front of the batters and the potential onset of dew. Southee, though, says that there is already dew at the venue and that it could be very similar for both teams.

Pitch Report!

The pitch is a little abrasive and that could help both the spinners and the pacers willing to deploy the cutters. There could be a lot of dew and Ajit Agarkar reckons that winning the toss could be a huge advantage. Both he and Deep Dasgupta reckons that today might not be very high-scoring.

Update: Harshal Patel has been handed over his India cap by Ajit Agarkar! Huge moment for the pacer, who lest we forget, finished as the Purple Cap holder in the 2021 edition of the IPL.

India v New Zealand, 2nd T20I Live: Preview

Date: 19 November 2021

Time: 7pm IST

Venue: JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi

India v New Zealand, 2nd T20I Live: Where to Watch

India: Star Sports Network: Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 HD, Star Sports 1 Hindi, Star Sports 1 Hindi HD, Star Sports 1 Tamil, Star Sports 1 Telugu, Star Sports 1 Kannada, Disney+ Hotstar

UK: Sky Sports Cricket, Sky Sports Main Event

New Zealand: Sky Sports