New Zealand defeated West Indies by 3 runs in a thrilling second T20I at Eden Park, Auckland on November 6, 2025, leveling the five-match series 1-1. Mark Chapman produced a stunning innings of 78 runs off just 28 balls, featuring five fours and seven sixes, to power New Zealand to 207/. West Indies fell agonizingly short at 204/8, with the match producing a combined total of 409 runs – the highest aggregate between these two teams in T20I history.
Sources: ESPNcricinfo, Cricket Times, Outlook India
Match Scorecard
| Team | Score | Overs | Wickets | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | 207/5 | 20.0 | 5 | Won by 3 runs |
| West Indies | 204/8 | 20.0 | 8 | Lost |
Top Performers
| Player | Team | Role | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Chapman | New Zealand | Batsman | 78 runs (28 balls, 7×6, 5×4) |
| Rovman Powell | West Indies | Batsman | 45 runs (16 balls, 6×6, 1×4) |
| Ish Sodhi | New Zealand | Bowler | 3/39 (4 overs) |
| Mitchell Santner | New Zealand | All-rounder | 18* runs & 3/31 (4 overs) |
| Romario Shepherd | West Indies | Batsman | 34 runs (16 balls) |
| Matthew Forde | West Indies | Bowler | 1/17 (4 overs) |
Key Moments
- Chapman’s Explosive Innings: After starting slowly with just 12 runs from his first 10 balls, Chapman exploded with 66 runs from the next 18 deliveries at a strike rate of 366.67
- Early West Indies Collapse: Brandon King was dismissed for a duck in the third ball of the innings, caught by Devon Conway off Jacob Duffy
- Middle-Order Resistance: Alick Athanaze (33 off 25 balls) and Shai Hope (24 off 26 balls) steadied the ship with a 49-run partnership after the early wicket
- Sodhi’s Crucial Wickets: Ish Sodhi broke the back of West Indies’ chase by dismissing Alick Athanaze, Ackeem Auguste, and Jason Holder in quick succession
- Powell’s Heroic Effort: Rovman Powell’s blistering 45 off 16 balls brought West Indies within touching distance, but he was dismissed in the final over by Kyle Jamieson, caught by Chapman
- Tense Finish: West Indies needed 6 runs from 2 balls but couldn’t get across the line, with Matthew Forde remaining unbeaten on 29 off 13 balls
Match Analysis
After losing early wickets with openers Devon Conway and Tim Robinson dismissed cheaply, New Zealand found themselves in trouble at the halfway stage before Chapman’s extraordinary counter-attack changed the game. The left-hander’s ability to target both pace and spin helped New Zealand post their highest T20I score against West Indies at this venue.
Daryl Mitchell (28 not out off 14 balls) and Mitchell Santner (18 not out off 8 balls) provided crucial late contributions, with Santner hitting a last-ball six to take 19 runs from the final over and push New Zealand past 200.
In response, West Indies’ chase never gained consistent momentum despite aggressive efforts from Powell and Shepherd. The middle-order collapse, where they lost five wickets between overs 7 and 13, proved too difficult to overcome despite the late fireworks.
New Zealand’s spin duo of Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner proved decisive, combining for six wickets and keeping the pressure on throughout the middle overs.
What’s Next
The series now stands level at 1-1, with three matches remaining in the five-match series. Both teams will look to gain momentum when they meet again at the same venue. West Indies are aiming for their sixth consecutive T20I victory, while New Zealand seek their first home T20I win of the season after losing series to Australia and England.
The next match will be crucial as the winner will take a 2-1 lead with just two games remaining. Both teams will likely continue with similar strategies, though West Indies may need to reassess their middle-order approach after another batting collapse threatened their chase.
Match Details:
2nd T20I, Eden Park, Auckland | Date: November 6, 2025 | Toss: West Indies elected to bowl