After a win in the opener, India will be aiming to extend the lead when they lock horns with New Zealand in the IND vs NZ 2nd T20I. However, a big name missing from the India Playing XI for the key fixture is talismanic Indian speedster Jasprit Bumrah.
The news of his absence was confirmed by T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav during the coin toss. It is understood that the reason behind dropping Jasprit Bumrah is to manage his workload with the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 lined up next from February. In his place, Harshit Rana has been slotted in.
SKY said at the toss, which he won and opted to field, “We have two changes – Axar is missing out because he got hit in the last game. And Bumrah is resting tonight. So Harshit and Kuldeep come in.”
The top seven, however, remains the same with Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson shouldering the opening responsibilities, followed by comeback man Ishan Kishan at No.3. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav will take up the fourth slot with all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube at fifth and sixth respectively. Rinku Singh, who looked in fine form in the first match, will once again look to deliver in the finisher’s role at seventh.
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New Zealand: Devon Conway, Tim Seifert(w), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner(c), Zakary Foulkes, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy
India: Sanju Samson(w), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy
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