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India solidified their grip on the New Zealand tour of India, 2026, with a convincing seven-wicket victory in the second T20I at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur, pushing their lead to 2-0 in the five-match series. This win was fueled by a composed yet aggressive batting display, allowing India to chase down a challenging target with ease. 

Earlier in the match, New Zealand set a competitive score of 208 for 6 in their 20 overs. Rachin Ravindra and Mitchell Santner were instrumental in building the innings, maintaining momentum during the middle overs, while other batters chipped in to help the visitors surpass the 200-run mark. India’s bowlers managed to regain some control towards the end of the innings, keeping the target within reach. 

India's chase got off to a rocky start with the early wickets of Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma, which put a bit of pressure on the home team. However, this phase didn’t last long. 

Ishan Kishan turned the tide of the match with a high-energy innings that brought balance to the chase. His quick scoring significantly lowered the required run rate and allowed India to take charge.

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After Kishan's exit, Suryakumar Yadav played a steady innings, gradually building up before accelerating to a well-timed half-century. This marked a crucial return to form for the Indian captain in this format. 

Shivam Dube also played a vital role by rotating the strike effectively and finding boundaries when necessary, ensuring there were no further hiccups. India reached their target in just 15.2 overs, showcasing a performance that highlighted both depth and clarity in their approach. 

With contributions from across the batting lineup and strong leadership at the helm, India delivered a controlled and convincing win, positioning themselves strongly as the series progresses.