Sanju Samson set the tone with a blistering half-century before Naman Dhir finished the job as India chased down 226 against New Zealand in Christchurch. India reached 230/6 in 19.4 overs to win by four wickets and take an early lead in the T20I series.
Samson smashed 67 off 33 balls, while Dhir remained unbeaten on 42 from just 15 deliveries. Shreyas Iyer also scored 42 as India completed their highest successful chase in T20I cricket.
New Zealand had posted 225/4, their highest T20I total at home. But India’s aggressive start and late hitting proved too much for the hosts.
Sanju Samson puts India ahead in the chase
India came out firing. Abhishek Sharma cleared the ropes in the opening over, while Samson quickly found his range. Lockie Ferguson was taken for 22 runs in the third over, and Adam Milne conceded 26 in the next.
Samson was in full flow. He attacked the pace bowlers and punished loose deliveries. Abhishek joined in with a pair of sixes as India raced to 93/1 in the Powerplay.
The opening stand had put India well ahead of the required rate. Abhishek made 29 off 12 balls before Michael Bracewell ended his innings. The early damage, however, had already been done.
New Zealand’s spinners turn up the pressure
India’s chase took a sharp turn after the Powerplay. New Zealand brought their spinners into the attack and slowed the scoring rate.
Samson fell for 67 after dragging a wide delivery onto his stumps. Tilak Varma managed just six from 11 balls before Bracewell dismissed him. Ishan Kishan then departed while trying to attack Mitchell Santner.
India had lost three wickets in quick succession. The asking rate was still manageable, but New Zealand had pulled the game back.
Axar Patel walked in and joined Iyer to steady the innings. Axar attacked the spinners, hitting Bracewell for six, while Iyer kept the scoreboard moving. Their partnership gave India some breathing room.
Iyer and Axar rebuild the innings
The pair added valuable runs in the middle overs. Axar made 24 from 14 balls before Ferguson finally removed him.
New Zealand had chances to tighten their grip, but their fielding let them down. Santner dropped Axar, while Finn Allen put down a chance to dismiss Iyer. India made the most of those missed opportunities.
Iyer and Dhir then took the attack to Santner, collecting 19 runs in one over. The momentum had swung back towards India.
Iyer eventually fell for 42, leaving Dhir to guide the chase through the final overs.
Naman Dhir finishes the job in style
With India still needing a strong finish, Dhir showed no signs of pressure. He picked his gaps, found the boundary and kept the required rate under control.
India needed a final push in the closing over. Dhir delivered with a four and a six to take India over the line with two balls remaining.
His unbeaten 42 off 15 balls proved decisive. India finished on 230/6 in 19.4 overs, completing a four-wicket victory in a high-scoring contest.
Phillips powers New Zealand to 225
Earlier, Glenn Phillips led New Zealand’s charge with an unbeaten 82. Finn Allen made 45, while Bevon Jacobs provided late impetus as the hosts posted 225/4.
India’s bowlers struggled to contain the scoring. All five conceded more than 40 runs, a first for India in T20Is. Mayank Yadav picked up one wicket and had a chance to claim another, but Abhishek dropped Daryl Mitchell in the deep.
Phillips and Jacobs added 73 runs to give New Zealand a strong finish. The hosts scored 67 runs in the final five overs and crossed the 220 mark.
However, Samson’s early assault and Dhir’s late fireworks turned the contest around. India now head into the next match with a 1-0 lead in the series.
IND vs NZ Brief scores
New Zealand: 225/4 in 20 overs (Glenn Phillips 82*, Finn Allen 45; Mayank Yadav 1/40)
India: 230/6 in 19.4 overs (Sanju Samson 67, Naman Dhir 42*, Shreyas Iyer 42; Michael Bracewell 2/39)
IND vs NZ Result: India won by four wickets.
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