Sanju Samson's 67 sets up India's four-wicket win over New Zealand

Christchurch, October 22: Sanju Samson's brilliant knock of 67 helped India defeat New Zealand by four wickets in the first T20 International on Wednesday.

At Hagley Oval, India overhauled a target of 226 in 19.4 overs, losing six wickets along the way.

The chase began in style. Samson and Abhishek Sharma put on 93 runs for the opening wicket in only 5.5 overs. Abhishek was out for 29 off 12 balls, which included two fours and three sixes.

Tilak Varma, batting at No. 3, could only manage six runs.

Samson's fifty came off 23 balls. He finished on 67 from 33 balls, hitting eight fours and four sixes.

Ishan Kishan was dismissed for a single. Axar Patel played some eye-catching strokes to score 24 off 14 balls.

Shreyas Iyer captained the side with a composed 42 from 28 balls. He shared a 43-run stand with Naman Dhir off just 22 deliveries.

In the final overs, Naman Dhir produced a explosive finish, remaining unbeaten on 42 from 15 balls. He struck at 280 and hit five fours and two sixes. Nitish Kumar Reddy was not out on 2.

In the bowling, Michael Bracewell and Mitchell Santner took two wickets each for New Zealand.

Before the chase, New Zealand had made 225 for 4 in 20 overs. Tim Seifert and Finn Allen provided a good start, adding 49 for the first wicket. Seifert scored 24 off 17 balls, while Allen was dismissed for 45 off 24 balls, hitting five fours and two sixes.

Daryl Mitchell added 28 runs, and Bevon Jacobs made 31 off 16 balls.

Glenn Phillips was the standout batter for New Zealand, remaining unbeaten on 82 off 40 balls at a strike rate of 205. He hit eight fours and three sixes.

India's bowlers struggled. Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav and Axar Patel each took one wicket.