New Zealand vs India Dream11 Prediction 2nd T20I: Check fantasy picks, player analysis, captain, vice-captain

The New Zealand vs India Dream11 Prediction for the second T20I of India’s 2026 tour of New Zealand centres on identifying players with dependable batting opportunities, wicket-taking roles and the ability to contribute across multiple disciplines. The match will take place at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, on Saturday, October 24, with the first ball scheduled for 12:30 PM IST. India lead the five-match series 1-0 after winning the opening encounter by four wickets in a high-scoring contest.

Sanju Samson and Glenn Phillips deserve particular attention after their match-winning and innings-defining contributions in the series opener. Abhishek Sharma remains an attractive selection because of his aggressive approach at the top of India’s batting order, while New Zealand’s Finn Allen can produce substantial returns during the powerplay. Michael Bracewell and Mitchell Santner also merit consideration following their two-wicket performances in the first match.

One important team update affects the wicketkeeper-batter category: Ishan Kishan has been ruled out of the second T20I with a low-grade right adductor strain. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is among the possible replacements, but his selection should not be assumed before the official XI is announced.

For fantasy players, the priority is to balance proven top-order involvement with bowlers who are likely to complete their overs. The final New Zealand vs India Fantasy Team should also account for Hagley Oval’s potential to produce both early wickets and substantial batting scores. Captain and Vice-Captain choices should favour involvement and scoring opportunities rather than reputation alone.

New Zealand vs India Match Details

Also Check: India Tour of New Zealand 2026 Schedule, Squads, Fixtures, Dates and Venues

Recent Fantasy-Relevant Form

New Zealand: Players to Watch

India: Players to Watch

The first match highlights an important selection distinction. Samson and Phillips demonstrated that they can convert their opportunities into substantial scores, whereas Naman Dhir’s quick finish was particularly valuable but came later in the innings. For a repeat selection, batting position and expected opportunity matter as much as the previous score. Bracewell and Santner remain relevant because their bowling workloads provide opportunities even when their batting contributions are modest.

Fantasy Pitch and Venue Analysis

Hagley Oval has produced a varied range of men’s T20I results. Through October 15, 2026, the venue had hosted 14 completed-result matches, with an average first-innings score of 162 and seven wins apiece for teams batting first and chasing. The highest recorded T20I total was 236/4.

These figures are historical records, not a guaranteed forecast for this match. The first T20I itself produced totals of 225/4 and 230/6, illustrating how significantly the scoring environment can differ from the long-term average.

For fantasy selection, the sensible approach is to retain attacking top-order batters while including bowlers with established four-over roles. Pace bowlers may benefit from early movement, but the opening match showed that expensive spells can still produce wickets. Avoid making the final combination depend entirely on a low-scoring game or an assumption that chasing will automatically be easier.

Player-by-Player Fantasy Analysis

Wicketkeepers

Sanju Samson (India)

Samson should be among the first players considered for the New Zealand vs India Dream11 Team. His 67 off 33 balls in the opener confirmed the value of his top-order position, while wicketkeeping adds another avenue for fantasy contributions. He is a leading Captain candidate because he can accumulate runs before the middle overs and still benefit from dismissals behind the stumps.

The main concern is that a repeat of his opening-match score is far from assured. New Zealand’s bowlers will have an opportunity to adjust their approach.

Tim Seifert (New Zealand)

Seifert offers the combination of opening-batter opportunity and wicketkeeping duties. His 24 off 17 balls in the first match showed that he can get his innings moving, although he did not convert that start into a larger score. He is a reasonable alternative if you want a second wicketkeeper without relying on an uncertain replacement.

Ishan Kishan (India)

Kishan is ruled out of this match and should be excluded from the suggested XI. Do not retain him in a fantasy lineup based on the assumption that he might recover in time.

Batters

Abhishek Sharma (India)

Abhishek’s attacking approach at the top of the order makes him particularly appealing for contests that reward boundary-heavy innings. His 29 off 12 balls in the first T20I came at a strike rate of 241.67. Even when he does not make a large score, his opening position gives him a meaningful opportunity to influence the innings.

His main risk is the volatility associated with aggressive batting. An early dismissal can limit his return, which is why pairing him with a more established innings-builder is sensible.

Finn Allen (New Zealand)

Allen’s 45 off 24 balls in the opener makes him one of New Zealand’s most interesting batting selections. His role gives him access to the powerplay, when fielding restrictions can help attacking batters score quickly. He is worth considering in both standard and higher-risk fantasy combinations.

The trade-off is that an aggressive opening approach can produce a short innings. He is a strong alternative Captain candidate for players who prefer to back New Zealand’s top order.

Shreyas Iyer (India)

Iyer’s 42 off 28 balls in the opening game demonstrated his ability to contribute when the innings moves beyond the powerplay. His selection is attractive for teams that do not want every batter to depend on an explosive start. He can build an innings while still finding boundaries later.

His fantasy return depends partly on how early India lose wickets. If the opening partnership lasts, his opportunity may be reduced.

Glenn Phillips (New Zealand)

Phillips is a priority batting selection after scoring 82 not out off 40 balls in the first T20I. His ability to accelerate through the middle and closing overs makes him particularly attractive when constructing a balanced team. He also offers a credible Captain alternative to Samson.

There is a risk in using a player’s latest large score as the sole reason for selection. Phillips remains appealing because of his batting role and demonstrated scoring capacity, not because another 82-run innings should be expected.

Tilak Varma (India)

Tilak is a potential selection if confirmed in the playing XI, but his batting opportunity deserves closer scrutiny. He made six off 11 balls in the opening match and came in at No. 3 as India adjusted to Kishan’s injury. With Kishan unavailable again, the team could retain a similar arrangement or change its combination.

Check the confirmed XI and batting order before including Tilak in a final contest lineup.

All-Rounders

Axar Patel (India)

Axar offers a combination of lower-middle-order batting and a regular bowling role. He scored 24 off 14 balls and took one wicket in the opening match, giving him contributions in both disciplines. His value is not limited to whether he bats high enough to make a large score; his bowling workload also creates opportunities.

However, the first match was expensive for India’s bowlers, including Axar. His selection should rest on expected involvement rather than the assumption that he will automatically return wickets.

Michael Bracewell (New Zealand)

Bracewell took two wickets in four overs during the series opener. His batting provides additional potential, although a lower position can limit the number of deliveries he faces. He is worth considering when the final combination needs a player capable of contributing outside the specialist-batter category.

Mitchell Santner (New Zealand)

Santner’s four-over allocation and left-arm spin make him relevant even when he is not among New Zealand’s leading run-scorers. He took two wickets in the opening match, including Samson’s dismissal. That performance highlights his wicket-taking potential, although it does not guarantee similar returns in the rematch.

His attraction is strongest in combinations that give meaningful weight to bowling contributions rather than loading up exclusively on top-order batters.

Naman Dhir (India)

Dhir’s 42 not out off 15 balls in the first T20I was one of the most influential late-innings contributions. He could be a differential selection because his batting opportunity may be less predictable than that of India’s top order. His finishing role offers considerable upside if wickets fall early enough for him to face a useful number of deliveries.

Do not assume he will bowl merely because he may be listed as an all-rounder on a fantasy platform. His selection here is primarily supported by his batting contribution and potential role in the lower middle order.

Bowlers

Mayank Yadav (India)

Mayank completed four overs and took a wicket in the opener. His pace makes him an option for early breakthroughs, while a full bowling allocation provides opportunities across the innings. He is worth considering despite the possibility of expensive spells in a high-scoring contest.

Arshdeep Singh (India)

Arshdeep took one wicket in the first T20I and bowled four overs. His left-arm angle and potential involvement at important stages make him a sensible bowling selection. The concern is that his opening-match spell cost 45 runs, so economy-related returns cannot be taken for granted.

Lockie Ferguson (New Zealand)

Ferguson took one wicket in his three overs in the opening match. He offers a pace-bowling alternative for fantasy players who want exposure to New Zealand’s attack, although the number of overs he receives must be checked against the confirmed team and tactical plan.

His selection is better suited to a team that accepts some economy risk in exchange for wicket-taking potential.

Adam Milne (New Zealand)

Milne took one wicket in the opener but conceded 43 runs from three overs. That expensive performance makes him a more cautious selection. He remains a possible option if his role and workload are confirmed, but he should not be selected purely on the assumption that pace will automatically produce wickets.

Best Safe Fantasy Picks

Samson and Phillips are the leading choices for teams seeking established batting contributions. Axar and Bracewell help reduce dependence on batting alone. Allen and Abhishek are more volatile, but their opening positions give them a substantial opportunity to score quickly.

Differential Fantasy Picks

Dhir is the more aggressive differential. His selection carries a clear risk because he may not face many deliveries if India’s top order dominates. Santner is a more role-based alternative, while Mayank is worth considering for contests in which wicket-taking upside matters more than economy stability.

Players to Avoid or Treat with Caution

The distinction between an unavailable player and a risky selection matters. Kishan should be excluded, whereas Sooryavanshi and Tilak should be assessed only after the playing XI is announced. Milne remains a possible cricketing selection, but his previous spell offers a reason to be cautious about using him in a conservative fantasy combination.

Captain Choices

Captain Option 1 – Sanju Samson

Samson is my preferred Captain for the suggested team. His top-order position creates a reasonable opportunity to face a significant number of deliveries, and his wicketkeeping role provides another source of potential contributions. The opening match also showed that he can accelerate rapidly without needing the innings to reach its final overs.

The risk is that New Zealand may find an early breakthrough or adjust their bowling plans. Captaincy should be based on expected opportunity rather than simply repeating the previous match’s result.

Captain Option 2 – Glenn Phillips

Phillips is the alternative Captain for players who want to back New Zealand’s batting. His ability to score rapidly in the middle and closing overs gives him an attractive route to a large total. He is particularly appealing when building a more aggressive contest lineup.

Compared with Samson, Phillips may have a different pattern of opportunity depending on New Zealand’s start. If the openers dominate, he may receive fewer deliveries; if wickets fall, he could be required to build and accelerate the innings.

Vice-Captain Choices

Vice-Captain Option 1 – Abhishek Sharma

Abhishek is the more aggressive Vice-Captain choice. His opening role gives him immediate access to the powerplay, where a short burst of boundary scoring can produce a substantial return. He complements Samson well because both have top-order opportunities, but their scoring patterns need not be identical.

His main weakness is volatility. An early dismissal would sharply reduce his contribution, making him a better fit for players comfortable with an attacking combination.

Vice-Captain Option 2 – Naman Dhir

Dhir offers a different approach. His finishing ability can make him valuable if India lose wickets and he gets sufficient time at the crease. He is a higher-risk alternative to Abhishek because his position lower down the order can limit his opportunity.

Choose Dhir as Vice-Captain only if you deliberately want a more aggressive, less conventional combination. His previous innings supports consideration, but not an expectation of repeating the same scoring rate.

Suggested Fantasy XI

Captain: Sanju Samson

Vice-Captain: Abhishek Sharma

Before submitting this team, verify that every player is confirmed in the starting XI and that the current fantasy platform classifies them in the roles shown. If a selected player is omitted from the official lineup, replace them with a confirmed player of a suitable role rather than retaining an inactive selection.

Dream11 Team Strategy

The suggested combination contains six players from India and five from New Zealand. It balances India’s top-order batting with New Zealand’s power hitters, while keeping three players who can contribute through all-round roles. This structure is designed to avoid excessive dependence on a single team’s batting innings.

The two wicketkeepers offer different forms of involvement: Samson is expected to have a significant batting opportunity, while Seifert opens for New Zealand and can contribute behind the stumps. Abhishek and Allen supply powerplay exposure, with Iyer providing a contrasting middle-order batting profile. Phillips adds another New Zealand batter who can accelerate after the initial overs.

Axar, Bracewell and Santner strengthen the combination through their bowling responsibilities and potential batting contributions. Arshdeep and Mayank are included as specialist bowlers who completed their overs in the opener. Their wicket-taking opportunities are important, but the previous match also showed that an expensive spell is possible.

Samson is Captain because of his batting position and wicketkeeping involvement; Abhishek is Vice-Captain for his attacking opening role. The main risk is that a high-scoring match can produce uneven returns for bowlers, while a long opening partnership can limit the opportunity for middle-order batters.

Last-Minute Fantasy Update

The most important confirmed update ahead of this match is Ishan Kishan’s unavailability. The BCCI confirmed that he has been ruled out of the second T20I with a low-grade right adductor strain.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is a possible replacement, but his place in the XI should not be treated as confirmed. Check the toss announcement and official team sheets before finalising any selection affected by the change.

Also review the final batting order and bowling combination. In particular, confirm that your selected bowlers are playing and that your preferred all-rounders retain realistic opportunities in both disciplines. Do not make an automatic switch simply because a player scored heavily in the opening game.

Final Dream11 Recommendation

For the New Zealand vs India Dream11 Prediction, Sanju Samson is my preferred Captain, with Abhishek Sharma as Vice-Captain. Glenn Phillips and Finn Allen are the main New Zealand batting selections, while Axar Patel and Michael Bracewell help balance the team with their bowling involvement. Naman Dhir is the leading differential if you want a higher-risk approach, but his lower batting position makes his opportunity less predictable.

I would exclude Ishan Kishan because he has been ruled out, and I would not select Vaibhav Sooryavanshi without confirmation of his inclusion. The suggested XI prioritises top-order opportunity, a mix of Indian and New Zealand batters, and bowlers with established workloads. Recheck the confirmed playing XIs and fantasy-platform rules before entering a contest.

Fantasy Cricket Disclaimer

Fantasy cricket involves risk and depends on player performance, playing XI selection, match conditions and other factors. These suggestions are for informational purposes only and do not guarantee fantasy points, winnings or returns. Please check the confirmed playing XI before finalizing your team.

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