India’s Predicted XI vs New Zealand 2nd T20I: No Axar Patel in Plans?
India and New Zealand will play the second match of five matches T20i series in New Raipur on January 23 2026. The team is at this point assessing player formations. The possible injuries and strategies to make changes to its tactics will be crucial. Amid this, there is news going out about no Axar Patel in the second T20I. It can have a huge impact on the Indian team regarding their second T20I team since Axar Patel will miss the subsequent matches.
The ICC T20 World Cup, coming in three weeks, makes every selection decision important for future outcomes. The Indian think tank approaches player selection with caution. According to Khelosports, they want to prioritize player fitness and workload management instead of pursuing immediate benefits.
Axar Patel Injury Update
During the first T20 of the India-New Zealand series, the Indian cricket team vice-captain, Axar Patel, sustained a bruise in his fingers when he bowled to Daryl Mitchell at Nagpur. Only one inning made the all-rounder absent the match and that too cast doubt on the next match with Raipur.
The management will not permit the risk to him in that he must heal until the world cup. It has been increased that no Axar Patel will make it to the playing XI on the second T2I. Spin-all-rounders are not feasible in India due to the lack of Washington Sundar, as it will compel the selectors to make some important decisions in the selection.
🚨🚨 India's ODI Squad vs New Zealand:
— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) January 3, 2026
- Gill(c), Rohit, Virat, Shreyas(vc), KL(wk), Sundar, Jadeja, Harshit, Prasidh, Kuldeep, Pant, NKR, Arshdeep, Jaiswal.
Key Points:
- VC Shreyas back is back
- Gaikwad dropped,
- Parchi Pant selected pic.twitter.com/XguRcQ8pal
Who Replaces Axar Patel?
The vacant position created by the absence of Axar in the team will be filled by Kuldeep Yadav who is the currentglen holder on the race to replace Axar. The entry of Kuldeep into the wicket-taking department also provides another wicket-taker to India, but it costs the side some bat that is not a bad bargain since India has good top and middle-order players.
An extra seamer may function as another alternative, but the pitch conditions in Raipur and India’s preference for variety make Kuldeep the most favorable option. The Indian team establishes its present strategy through Khelosports to create better bowling combinations while reducing excess workload on the batting lineup.
Series Update: India in Control, New Zealand Under Pressure
The first T20 was won by India by 48 runs, who went out to prove their superiority in the game. The calm finish of Rinku Singh also highlighted the comfort and security of India.
New Zealand carried out its own response with will, but performance was poor because of unpredictability. Glenn Phillips gave a brilliant performance which he scored 78 runs but the bowlers of India managed to maintain his scoring at the right time during the match.
Projected Indian team against New Zealand, 2nd T20I.
Abhishek Sharma – Bomber forward, capable of winning games in the powerplay.
- Sanju Samson (wk) – an able batter technically who wants to recover.
- Ishan Kishan – Aggressive middle-order option with high impact potential
- Suryakumar Yadav (c) – India’s most destructive T20 batter seeking peak rhythm
- Hardik Pandya – The backbone of India’s T20 setup with bat and ball
- Shivam Dube – Spin-basher and middle-overs enforcer
- Rinku Singh – Trusted finisher with nerves of steel
- Kuldeep Yadav / Harshit Rana – Likely replacement option if No Axar Patel is confirmed
- Jasprit Bumrah – Death-over specialist and leader of the attack
- Varun Chakravarthy – Mystery spinner controlling the middle overs
- Arshdeep Singh – Powerplay wicket-taker and yorker expert
Nitish Kumar Reddy can’t bat.
— Selfless⁴⁵ (@SelflessCricket) January 3, 2026
Washington Sundar can’t bowl.
But they got selected, and Axar Patel, who can bat and bowl better than both, got dropped.
What a clown BCCI has become. 🤡 pic.twitter.com/dt2hSOPba0
Cricket tips
Abhishek Sharma, being a Khelosports fantasy player, is the best candidate to be the captain. He is currently displaying excellent performance as a player. Glenn Phillips should be selected by New Zealand, and Hardik Pandya should offer them a stable all-round performance.
Pitch Report
The Raipur surface shows balanced conditions that favor batting during the initial phase of the game. Fast bowlers benefit from the new ball bounce while spinners start to bowl during the pitch’s middle overs. The game will develop into another scoring battle because the weather remains clear and fast.
Match Insights
India is at home ground with the momentum, however, New Zealand has its full strength batting force. The game will be on their side with better performance in bowling that will help them to take quick wickets. The hosts maintain their narrow advantage because No Axar Patel does not significantly impact India’s team chemistry.
During the whole IND vs NZ T20I series, Khelosports offers match progress reports and fantasy sports reports with professional analysis of the series.
FAQs
A: India will take a rest for Axar Patel since he had injured his finger in the first match, as they are looking after him in the next T20 World Cup.
A: The main substitute candidate is Kuldeep Yadav, though Harshit Rana might be introduced as well,l depending on the manner in which the team has to be balanced.
A: This information is yet to be confirmed by the management of this team, though the evidence at hand has strongly indicated that India will not allow him to play.
A: The three players Abhishek Sharma, Hardik Pandya, and Glenn Philips represent the most appropriate choices who can become team captain.
A: Khelosports provides fans with live updates and match Insights and expert analysis.
