India vs New Zealand, 2nd T20I - Live Cricket Score, Commentary

NZ introduce spin early

No surprises there as Santner introduces himself and Bracewell very early into the attack. Both these spinners aren't renowned for turning the ball a mile but they are making life difficult for Ishan Kishan here. India have made 16 in the first three overs but New Zealand do have reasons to get excited.

Target 100

Santner tried his best to get a few big hits in that final over but Arshdeep oozed class to deliver three dot balls as New Zealand finished with 99/8. It's been a shoddy display but the surface had a lot to do with that. If dew does settle in, India won't find it difficult to chase down 100 in 20 overs.

Two in two

Arshdeep is using that short ball to great effect. He directs it quite well to Lockie Ferguson and he fends it off awkwardly to get caught for a duck. New Zealand are 83/8 after 18 overs.

The wickets keep tumbling

Arshdeep comes onto bowl right at the death and strikes immediately. He bowls a shortish delivery that Ish Sodhi mistimes, only for Hardik to pouch an easy catch at mid on.

A wicket for Hardik

On a night where the spinners have been making all the inroads, Hardik brings himself on for a second and final spell and finishes it off with a short ball that fetches him a wicket. Bracewell gets a top edge and Arshdeep judges it to perfection near the fine leg boundary. New Zealand are 80/6 after 17 overs. This is a real struggle to reach three figures.

Unnecessary

That was the last thing New Zealand needed. A lack of communication between Chapman and Bracewell sees the former get run out. New Zealand have lost half their side already now. They have posted only 62 on the board in 13 overs. This isn't a great advert for a slam bang format.

Kuldeep gets into the act

India have used four spinners today in the first ten overs and all four have now struck. Kuldeep is the latest to make an impact as he cleans up Daryl Mitchell. This surface is proving to be very challenging indeed.

The reverse sweep consumes another batter

This is indeed a freakish coincidence. Deepak Hooda has come in and he has struck immediately. Quite dramatically, it's the reverse sweep that's hurting New Zealand. The first two batters were dismissed after attempting to reverse and Glenn Phillips does the same, only to lose his stumps. India are in total control as Kuldeep Yadav enters the attack.

Conway falls

That's a huge wicket given what Conway did last game. India's spinners are taking control very early in the game. After Chahal bowled a wicket-maiden, Washington follows it up with a wicket as well. Conway also attempts a reverse sweep but the ball goes up after coming in contact with the glove, only to be caught by the keeper. New Zealand are in trouble and have fallen behind in the powerplay to only post 33.

Yuzi strikes

Hardik brings on Chahal very early in the innings and the move has paid off. Finn Allen was getting a bit frustrated after failing to find his fluency and that has cost him his wicket. He saw Chahal turn the ball a mile first up and wanted to bring out the reverse sweep to play the ball with the turn but fails to connect it with the bat. The ball hits his leg and goes on to hit the stumps. India strike early.

Toss - New Zealand opt to bat

Both captains wanted to bat first as they expect batting to get tougher in the second half of the game. New Zealand are unchanged and that definitely isn't surprising. India on the other hand have strengthened their spin attack by picking Yuzvendra Chahal in place of Umran Malik. The hosts are expecting KulCha to cause trouble.

Teams:

India (Playing XI): Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan(w), Rahul Tripathi, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya(c), Deepak Hooda, Washington Sundar, Shivam Mavi, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh

New Zealand (Playing XI): Finn Allen, Devon Conway(w), Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner(c), Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Blair Tickner

Build up

Not often do India find themselves under a bit of pressure to keep a series alive at home. But a comprehensive defeat in the opening T20I has put them in a delicate position going into this game tonight in Lucknow. While their new-look T20I team is slowly taking shape under Hardik Pandya, there are slots up for grabs. And it starts right up top with both Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill looking shaky. Both these talented young batters haven't been able to nail down their positions and they know time is not necessarily on their side with Prithvi Shaw lurking. There have been calls for Shaw's inclusion in the T20I setup but Gill and Kishan might get another go tonight to showcase their skills.

From a bowling perspective, Kuldeep Yadav seems to be making an impact which augurs well for India. The seamers were taken apart for plenty in Ranchi and things might not get rosy for them tonight as well at a venue that has witnessed big scores in recent times. From a New Zealand perspective, they will be absolutely buzzing with that win after losing all three games in the ODI series. Mitchell Santner was at his absolute best with the ball on a surface that offered plenty of purchase for the spinners. That might not be the case tonight.

The visitors will also be pleased with the fact that Daryl Mitchell got some runs after missing out in the ODIs. Can they carry forward the momentum and seal the series or will India drag it to the decider? We will find out over the next few hours.