New Zealand outclassed India by 50 runs in the fourth T20I of the five-match series in Visakhapatnam. After being invited to bat first, New Zealand posted 215/7 in 20 overs, helped by blazing knocks from Tim Seifert and Devon Conway. Daryl Mitchell also played a fierce late cameo that pushed New Zealand past the 200-run mark.
Arshdeep Singh (2/33 in 4 overs) was the most successful bowler for India. Kuldeep Yadav also picked up two wickets.
During the chase, India lost wickets at regular intervals. Shivam Dube played a stunning knock in Visakhapatnam. He smashed the third-fastest fifty by an Indian batter in T20Is and scored 65 runs off just 23 balls. However, his effort could not save India from defeat. Despite the loss in the fourth T20I, India still lead the series 3-1.
New Zealand post 215 after strong finish
New Zealand posted a big total of 215 runs. Tim Seifert led the charge with a powerful half-century. Daryl Mitchell then added crucial runs at the death.
The innings moved in phases. New Zealand raced to 100 runs in just 8.1 overs. Then they lost six wickets for 63 runs in the middle overs. Just when India looked to pull things back, the visitors smashed 47 runs in the final three overs. It became New Zealand’s second-highest T20I total against India.
Seifert sets the tone in the powerplay
Tim Seifert went on the attack from the start. He faced 11 of the first 12 balls and smashed 25 runs. His shots included lucky edges and clean hits in front of the wicket.
Devon Conway started cautiously. He scored only 8 off his first 9 balls. But he switched gears late in the powerplay. He hit Ravi Bishnoi for two fours and a six.
New Zealand scored 71 runs in the first six overs. It was their best powerplay against India in T20Is.
Middle overs bring wickets but not control
Once spinners came on, Seifert slowed down. He added only 16 runs from his next 15 balls after the powerplay.
Conway kept the momentum going. He attacked Kuldeep Yadav and Bishnoi with confidence. But his dismissal triggered a mini-collapse.
Jasprit Bumrah removed Rachin Ravindra. Arshdeep Singh dismissed Seifert soon after. Glenn Phillips fell to Kuldeep, with Rinku Singh taking another sharp catch. When Mark Chapman fell early in the 16th over, New Zealand looked unlikely to cross 200.
Mitchell delivers another late surge
Daryl Mitchell once again rescued New Zealand. At 168 for 6 after 17 overs, the visitors needed a strong finish.
Zak Foulkes chipped in during the 18th over. Mitchell then took on Bumrah. He smashed a four and a six. Bumrah conceded 19 runs, his second most expensive over in T20Is.
Harshit Rana leaked 14 runs in the final over. New Zealand ended the innings strongly.
India stumble early in the chase
India’s top order failed again. Abhishek fell for a golden duck. Suryakumar Yadav struggled and soon departed. Jacob Duffy pulled off a brilliant catch to leave India at 9 for 2.
Sanju Samson showed promise but failed once more. He scored 24 off 15 balls before Santner bowled him with a skidding delivery. Hardik Pandya also fell cheaply.
Rinku Singh fought hard with 39 runs. But once he got out, the chase looked all but over.
Dube sparks brief hope
At this stage, Dube took control. He hammered Ish Sodhi for 29 runs in one over. He then smashed Jacob Duffy for two more sixes.
Dube reached his fifty in just 15 balls. He looked set to pull off something special. However, he got run out at the non-striker’s end after a deflection from the bowler. With his dismissal, India’s chase lost steam.
India were eventually bowled out for 165 in 18.4 overs.
Santner shines with the ball
Mitchell Santner led New Zealand’s bowling attack. He finished with figures of 3 for 26. Jacob Duffy and Ish Sodhi claimed two wickets each. The series score now stands at 3-1, with one match still to play.