Team India delivered a commanding performance in the second T20I of the five-match series against New Zealand, producing a clinical run chase to level the contest. The match, played in Raipur on January 23, saw the Black Caps post a formidable total of 208 runs, only for India to chase it down emphatically in 15.2 overs, winning by seven wickets.

The cornerstone of India’s chase was the explosive partnership between Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav, with Kishan producing one of his most impactful T20I innings to date.

After India lost both openers early, Kishan walked in under pressure and immediately seized control of the innings. Displaying fearless intent and precise shot selection, the left-hander smashed 76 runs off just 32 balls, completely shifting momentum in India’s favour.

Elite powerplay record for Kishan

With his aggressive approach, Kishan achieved a rare milestone, becoming only the third non-opener from full-member nations to score a powerplay half-century in men’s T20Is. He joined an elite list featuring Dion Myers and Josh Inglis, underlining the uniqueness of his achievement.

Kishan was particularly destructive in the powerplay, scoring 56 runs off 23 deliveries. This effort now stands as the second-highest powerplay score by an Indian batter, behind only Abhishek Sharma’s 58 off 21 balls against England at the Wankhede Stadium.

Match-winning impact and Player of the Match honour

Kishan’s knock ensured that India maximised the powerplay phase, reducing the asking rate significantly and allowing the middle order to play with freedom. His partnership with Suryakumar Yadav ensured there were no further hiccups as India cruised to the target with more than four overs to spare.

Unsurprisingly, Kishan was named Player of the Match for his match-defining innings. Speaking after the game, the southpaw highlighted his mindset and approach during the chase.

“I was focusing on what I have to do today and keeping myself in a good headspace. When you know you’re batting well, it’s about watching the ball and staying calm. Chasing 208, it was important to maximise the powerplay, and that was my focus,” Kishan said during the post-match presentation.

What this means for India

Kishan’s performance not only helped India level the series but also strengthened his case as a reliable middle-order option in T20Is—especially in high-pressure run chases. With the series finely poised, his form could prove crucial as India looks to build momentum heading into the remaining matches.

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have reiterated their desire to return to the M Chinnaswamy Stadium for the IPL 2026 season, but the franchise has made it clear that it will do so only after certain “grey areas” in government guidelines are clarified. The issue centres around responsibility and liability for any incidents in or around the venue during matches.

Speaking at a press conference, Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) president Venkatesh Prasad revealed that discussions between RCB and the authorities have so far lacked comprehensive two-way communication, particularly when it comes to regulatory clarity.

RCB want clarity on responsibility and liability

According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, RCB are seeking clearer interpretation of a provision that places responsibility for any untoward incident in and around the stadium on the event organisers. The franchise wants to understand how this responsibility would be shared, given that multiple stakeholders are involved, including:

• Royal Challengers Bengaluru
• Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA)
• Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)
• Karnataka state government

RCB believe ambiguity around these roles could pose operational and legal risks during the tournament.

RCB statement: ‘Fan safety is our priority’

In an official statement, RCB stressed that while playing at Chinnaswamy remains their preference, fan safety and regulatory clarity are paramount.

“While our desire is always to play at our home ground in front of our ardent fans, we want to be thorough in our commitment to further understand the conditions applicable to host matches here and the measures taken to ensure fan safety protocols are met,” the franchise said.

“From our preliminary conversations, there are still a few grey areas that need to be looked into. We are considering inputs from all stakeholders before arriving at a responsible decision for the team and our fans.”

The statement underlined RCB’s willingness to work collaboratively, but only once clear guidelines are established.

KSCA places responsibility on RCB to engage government

Earlier on Wednesday, KSCA president Venkatesh Prasad indicated that the next step lies with the franchise in terms of initiating structured dialogue with the government.

“Unless and until the government agencies were convinced about the timelines we had given them, and the work we are going to do based on the report we received, they wouldn’t have given us a go-ahead,” Prasad said.

He added that approval would depend on the authorities being satisfied with safety measures, infrastructure upgrades, and compliance with recommendations made in recent assessments of the venue.

Backup venues under consideration

Amid the uncertainty, earlier reports suggested that RCB had explored alternative venues for their home matches, including DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai and Raipur, as contingency options should approvals not arrive in time.

However, Chinnaswamy Stadium—one of the most iconic IPL venues—remains the franchise’s first choice, given its history, atmosphere, and strong home support.

What this means for IPL 2026

With IPL 2026 still months away, there is time for stakeholders to resolve outstanding issues. However, clarity on responsibilities, crowd management, and emergency protocols will be crucial before final venue confirmations are made.

For now, cricket is still expected to return to Chinnaswamy Stadium, but RCB have made it clear that certainty—not sentiment—will drive their final decision.

With the three-match ODI series evenly poised at 1-1, India and New Zealand are set to face off in the decisive third ODI at the Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore, on January 17. As anticipation builds for the series decider, questions around India’s team combination and player roles have once again taken centre stage.

Former India cricketer Mohammed Kaif has openly criticised the Indian team management’s handling of young all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, questioning both his inclusion and clarity of role in the ODI setup. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Kaif expressed disappointment with India’s reading of conditions, particularly in the second ODI played on a slow pitch where India opted for four pacers while New Zealand relied more effectively on spin.

“I do not understand the squad that has been picked,” Kaif said. “On a slow pitch, you played four pacers, while New Zealand, despite spin not being their strength, read the conditions better. I also do not understand Nitish Reddy’s role. The coach and management should clearly define what his job is in this team.”

Kaif questions Nitish Kumar Reddy’s all-rounder tag

Kaif was particularly critical of Reddy being labelled as an all-rounder, asserting that the youngster is currently more of a specialist batter than a genuine bowling option.

“He is only a batter. He is not an all-rounder,” Kaif stated. “The faster the Indian team understands this, the better it will be for them. He does not bowl enough to be considered a sixth bowling option. At best, he is a part-time bowler.”

Kaif also pointed out that captains appear hesitant to use Reddy as a bowler, which undermines the balance of the playing XI. According to him, this lack of trust creates confusion and puts unnecessary pressure on the rest of the bowling unit.

As India looks to clinch the series in Indore, Kaif’s comments have reignited debate around team selection, player roles, and whether India needs clearer long-term planning for young players like Nitish Kumar Reddy in the ODI format.