Tim Seifert's Gritty Knock Amid Heartbreak: Black Caps Routed in T20 Thriller Against India

In a dramatic second T20 International in Raipur, New Zealand opener Tim Seifert delivered a quickfire 24 off 13 balls, but it wasn't enough as India chased down 209 with a commanding seven-wicket victory, sealing a 2-0 series lead.[2][4]

The match on January 23, 2026, at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium saw New Zealand, trailing 0-1, post 208/6 after India captain Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and elected to bowl first amid dew concerns. Seifert, alongside Devon Conway, ignited the innings with 43 runs in the first three overs, smashing boundaries before falling to India's bowlers.[2][4]

Both openers donned black armbands in tribute to victims of devastating storms and landslides in New Zealand's upper North Island, including a fatal incident at a Mount Maunganui campsite on January 22 that claimed two lives.[2]

New Zealand made three changes, bringing in Seifert, Zak Foulkes, and Matt Henry for Kyle Jamieson, Kristian Clarke, and Tim Robinson. Mitchell Santner top-scored with 47 off 27, but India's chase was clinical, cruising to the target with nearly five overs spare despite a bowling hammering.[1][3][4]

Post-match, Seifert unpacked the loss on iHeart's All Sport Breakfast, highlighting the bowlers' struggles as India peppered boundaries relentlessly. Ish Sodhi shone with 1/34 off three overs amid the onslaught.[1][3]

With three T20s left, New Zealand faces an uphill battle against a rampant India, who rested Jasprit Bumrah and replaced injured Axar Patel with Harshit Rana and Kuldeep Yadav.[2][4]