Kuldeep Yadav rediscovered his rhythm with two crucial middle-overs breakthroughs as India restricted New Zealand to 208 for 6 on a batting-friendly surface in the second T20 International here on Friday. Rachin Ravindra (44 off 26) and captain Mitchell Santner (47 not out off 27) counter-attacked in different phases to push the visitors past the 200-run mark.

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With heavy dew expected later in the evening, India captain Suryakumar Yadav chose to bowl after winning the toss. Harshit Rana and Kuldeep Yadav were brought into the XI in place of injured Axar Patel and rested Jasprit Bumrah.

New Zealand openers Devon Conway and Tim Seifert, both fresh from the Big Bash League, provided an explosive start. Conway smashed 19 off just nine balls, while Seifert chipped in with a brisk 24 off 13 as the Black Caps raced away in the powerplay.

Conway set the tone early by attacking Arshdeep Singh, plundering three boundaries and a sliced six over backward point in an 18-run opening over. Seifert followed suit in the next, striking four fours off Arshdeep in another costly over.

The introduction of Harshit Rana in the fourth over provided India a breakthrough, as the pacer dismissed Conway for the fourth time in as many innings across formats on this tour. Rachin Ravindra then took charge, playing a range of fluent strokes before falling to Kuldeep Yadav’s wide delivery.

Kuldeep struck again soon after, removing the dangerous Glenn Phillips with a well-disguised googly, caught at backward point. At 111 for 3 at the halfway stage, New Zealand appeared set for a much bigger total on a true batting wicket.

India managed to apply the brakes through clever bowling changes. Shivam Dube, introduced as the seventh bowling option, dismissed the in-form Daryl Mitchell with a well-executed slower ball in the 12th over, shifting momentum back towards the hosts.

However, Santner ensured New Zealand finished strongly, collecting 57 runs in the final five overs with a series of boundaries and a straight six off Hardik Pandya to take his side past the 200-run mark.
(By PTI Inputs)