India opt to bowl in 2nd T20 against New Zealand; Axar and Bumrah rested, Kuldeep and Harshit get chance in Raipur debut

What happened: India won the toss in the 2nd T20 in Raipur and chose to bowl first, making key changes to the XI.

• Why it matters now: Senior players Axar Patel and Jasprit Bumrah have been rested, opening the door for Kuldeep Yadav and Harshit Rana.

• What changes for people: Fans will see Raipur hosting a T20I for the first time, with India testing bench strength early in the season.

• Who is affected: Both teams’ bowling strategies, India’s middle-overs control, and New Zealand’s plans on a new venue.

India and New Zealand have kicked off the second T20I of the series at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium, marking Raipur’s first-ever T20 International. Suryakumar Yadav, leading India, won the toss and decided to bowl on a surface expected to offer early grip under lights.

India rest senior bowlers, try new combination

India have opted for rotation, confirming that Axar Patel and Jasprit Bumrah will not feature in this match. The team management has brought in Kuldeep Yadav to strengthen middle-overs spin, while young pacer Harshit Rana gets a valuable opportunity in the XI.

Suryakumar said the move aims to “manage workload and test depth” ahead of a long white-ball season.

New Zealand play Raipur for the first time

For the visiting Kiwis, this match provides both challenge and uncertainty as they experience this venue for the first time. With India electing to bowl, New Zealand openers face the task of reading conditions quickly and building a competitive total.

Why this match is crucial

India lead the series 1-0, and a win today could seal it early. With changes in the bowling lineup, tonight’s performance will also indicate how prepared India’s second-string attack is for pressure situations.

Fans in Raipur have turned out in huge numbers, giving the match a high-energy atmosphere despite its debut status.