New Zealand will lock horns with the West Indies in the second T20 International (T20I) of the five-match series on Thursday, November 6, at Eden Park in Auckland. The visitors currently lead the series 1-0 after a thrilling win in the opening encounter, while the hosts will look to bounce back and level the contest.
Match Details:
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Fixture: New Zealand (NZ) vs West Indies (WI), 2nd T20I, West Indies Tour of New Zealand 2025
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Date: Thursday, November 6, 2025
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Time: 11:45 AM (IST) / 7:15 PM (Local Time)
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Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
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Broadcast: Sony Sports Network (TV)
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Live Streaming: SonyLIV, FanCode, and Amazon Prime Video (App & Website) for India; ESPN Caribbean for West Indies; Spark Sport for New Zealand; Willow TV for USA viewers
Match Overview
After a close defeat in the first T20I, New Zealand will be aiming for a strong comeback at home. Despite an impressive effort from the bowling unit, the hosts struggled to maintain composure during the chase, falling short by seven runs. Captain Mitchell Santner played a fighting knock, but his efforts were not enough to cross the finish line.
The West Indies, on the other hand, looked composed and well-balanced throughout the opening game. Their skipper, Shai Hope, led from the front with a brilliant half-century that set the foundation for their innings. The bowling attack, led by Roston Chase and Jayden Seales, held their nerves under pressure to seal the win. With the momentum on their side, the visitors will be eyeing a 2-0 lead to strengthen their grip on the series.
Team Overviews
New Zealand:
The BlackCaps have a lot of positives to take despite the loss. Their bowlers were disciplined, with Jacob Duffy and Kyle Jamieson keeping the pressure on the West Indies batters. However, the batting unit failed to convert starts into big scores. The top order, including Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra, will need to fire if New Zealand are to level the series. The home team will likely stick with the same playing XI, with the possible inclusion of an extra spinner depending on conditions.
Expected Playing XI:
Tim Robinson, Devon Conway (WK), Rachin Ravindra, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner (C), Zakary Foulkes, Kyle Jamieson, Jacob Duffy.
West Indies:
The visitors looked confident in the first match, showing a good mix of power and patience. Shai Hope’s captaincy was instrumental, while contributions from Roston Chase, Jason Holder, and Jayden Seales made a huge impact. The balance of the team looks strong, with both batters and bowlers complementing each other well. The West Indies are unlikely to make major changes, as they would want to continue with their winning combination.
Expected Playing XI:
Shai Hope (C & WK), Alick Athanaze, Brandon King, Roston Chase, Ackeem Auguste, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, Matthew Forde, Akeal Hosein, Jayden Seales.
Head-to-Head Record
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Matches Played: 20
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New Zealand Won: 10
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West Indies Won: 5
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Tied: 3
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No Result: 2
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First Match: February 16, 2006
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Most Recent Match: November 5, 2025
While New Zealand holds a superior record overall, the West Indies have shown signs of revival in this format, especially under Shai Hope’s leadership.
Pitch and Weather Report
Eden Park in Auckland is known for its small boundaries, which often produce high-scoring encounters. The surface offers true bounce and allows batters to play their shots freely once they settle in. Bowlers will have to rely on variations and tight lines to contain the scoring rate.
Weather conditions are expected to be ideal for cricket, with mild temperatures and little to no chance of rain. The dew factor might influence the toss decision, as teams generally prefer to bowl first under lights in Auckland.
Key Players to Watch
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Shai Hope (West Indies): The skipper has been in sublime form, anchoring the innings and guiding his team with consistency.
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Jacob Duffy (New Zealand): A disciplined performer with the ball, Duffy’s ability to strike early could be crucial for the hosts.
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Roston Chase (West Indies): His all-round abilities make him a valuable asset in the middle overs.
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Mitchell Santner (New Zealand): The captain’s form with both bat and ball will play a big role in determining New Zealand’s fate in this match.
Probable Scenarios
The team winning the toss may opt to bowl first, considering the dew factor and the success of chasing teams at Eden Park. A target in the range of 180–190 could be considered competitive. Both sides are expected to go with a similar combination, with New Zealand possibly adding an extra pacer if conditions assist seam movement early on.
Match Prediction
Both teams are well-matched, but the West Indies carry the momentum after their first-game win. However, playing at home and with their bowlers in good rhythm, New Zealand will be desperate to bounce back. The match could go down to the wire again, but defending teams have often found success at Eden Park.
Prediction: The defending team to win the match, with New Zealand slightly favored to level the series 1-1.
