Kishan’s statement knock, Surya’s welcome fifty give India 2-0 lead against NZ

Published

5 months ago

January 23, 2026

Ishan Kishan justified his national recall with a sensational 32-ball-76 while captain Suryakumar Yadav scored his first fifty after 23 innings as India decimated New Zealand by seven wickets for a 2-0 lead in the five-match T20 series in Raipur on Friday.

New Zealand, put into bat first, looked dangerous from the start. Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, they managed to post a challenging total of 208/6. For India, the bowling was a mixed bag, with Kuldeep Yadav picking up 2 wickets, while Hardik Pandya and Arshdeep Singh chipped in with one apiece.

Ahead of the all important T20 World Cup, it all seems to be falling in place for India with Suryakumar (82 not out off 37) overcoming a prolonged lean patch and Kishan emerging as a destructive top-order enforcer. India were expected to chase 209 on a belter of a pitch but not with such ease after losing Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson by the second over of the chase.

The skipper played a captain’s knock, blasting an unbeaten 82 off 37 balls. Their partnership of 122 runs for the third wicket completely demoralized the New Zealand attack.

Suryakumar and Shivam Dube (36 not out off 18) closed out the game in a canter as India gunned down the target in 15.2 overs.

Related Topics:cricket India vs New Zealand Ishan Kishan Suryakumar Yadav T20 World Cup

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India set for bumper New Zealand tour featuring 10 white-ball matches and Two Tests

Published

6 days ago

June 3, 2026

Staff Reporter

India will undertake the biggest-ever international cricket tour of New Zealand later this year, playing two tests, five one-day internationals and five Twenty20 matches against the Black Caps.

India will open the tour with the T20s in late October and early November quickly followed by the ODI series.

The first test takes place at Wellington’s Basin Reserve from November 19 to 23. The second test will be at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval from November 27 to December 1.

“When it comes to cricket – it simply doesn’t get bigger than India and we’re determined to deliver New Zealanders a tour like no other,” said New Zealand Cricket’s Glenn Critchley. “We’re expecting all of these games to sell out.”

After travelling to play four tests in Australia around the New Year, New Zealand will also host Sri Lanka in three ODIs, three T20s, and two tests in January and February, 2027.

The White Ferns women’s team will host Bangladesh for three T20s and three ODIs in December.

No RCB victory parade in Bengaluru as fans celebrate title win indoors

Published

1 week ago

June 1, 2026

Staff Reporter

The passionate fans will not be able to celebrate Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s title defence with the team after the franchise decided against holding a victory parade in the city in order to avoid the crowd frenzy, which led to last year’s deadly stampede.

Virat Kohli once again delivered on the biggest stage as Royal Challengers Bengaluru defended their IPL title with a five-wicket win over Gujarat Titans in the final in Ahmedabad on Sunday, extending his remarkable run of consistency in a format increasingly dominated by ultra-aggressive batting.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s second IPL title win came on Rajat Patidar’s 33rd birthday but more than that happy coincidence the skipper was pleased with his team’s start-to-end domination in the league.

The RCB took such a decision also keeping in mind the swearing-in ceremony of newly-appointed Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.

Rishabh Pant quits LSG captaincy after IPL 2026 debacle

Published

1 week ago

May 29, 2026

Staff Reporter

Rishabh Pant has stepped down as Lucknow Super Giants captain following the IPL 2026 season. During his two-year stint, LSG failed to secure a playoff berth, managing only 10 wins under his leadership. The franchise finished seventh last season and ended this year at the bottom of the table. He was bought for INR 27 crore and was immediately handed the captaincy baton, but absolutely nothing worked well for the franchise since then.

“Lucknow Super Giants wish to formally announce that Rishabh Pant has requested to be relieved from his captaincy duties with the franchise, and the franchise has accepted the request with immediate effect,” LSG’s statement read.