India is set to face New Zealand in the second T20I on Friday, looking to build on their commanding 48-run victory in the series opener at Nagpur. The Suryakumar Yadav-led side started the series strongly, with Abhishek Sharma smashing 84 off just 35 balls and Rinku Singh finishing with a quickfire 44 off 20 to guide India to a formidable total. New Zealand fell short, with Shivam Dube and Varun Chakravarthy taking two wickets each.

However, India may be dealing with a setback, as Axar Patel suffered a finger injury while attempting a catch in the first match and had to leave the field. No official update has been provided by the BCCI, but if Axar is ruled out, Kuldeep Yadav is expected to replace him to bolster India’s spin attack.

Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson are expected to open the batting again, while Ishan Kishan, who failed to make an impact in the first game, could get another chance given his inclusion in India’s T20 World Cup squad. Suryakumar Yadav, regaining form with a 32-ball 22 in Nagpur, will anchor the middle order alongside Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube, forming a strong backbone for the batting lineup.

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Rinku Singh is likely to reprise his role as finisher in the absence of Axar, providing crucial late-innings firepower. The Indian bowling attack is expected to feature Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Varun Chakravarthy, aiming to keep New Zealand’s batsmen in check.

India Predicted XI for 2nd T20I vs New Zealand:
Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Varun Chakravarthy.

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