In a high-scoring thriller at Visakhapatnam, New Zealand outclassed India by 50 runs in the fourth T20I, opening their account in the series India had already sealed 3-1. The Kiwis’ batting fireworks set an imposing 215/7, which proved too steep for the hosts.
Tim Seifert and Devon Conway’s explosive opening stand of 100 in 8.2 overs shattered records, becoming the quickest team century against India in T20Is on home turf. Conway departed for 44 (23 balls), but Seifert’s 62 (36 balls) kept the momentum. Daryl Mitchell’s brisk 39* (18) and Glenn Phillips’ 24 pushed the total higher.
India’s attack was led by Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav (2 wickets each), with Bumrah and Bishnoi contributing one each. But in reply, disaster struck early: Abhishek Sharma out for 0, Suryakumar Yadav for 8. Sanju Samson (24 off 15) and Rinku Singh (39 off 30) fought back with 46 runs, yet five wickets tumbled by 82.
Enter Shivam Dube, who blazed to 65 off 23 balls – the third-fastest T20I fifty for India – smashing 7 sixes. His 63-run stand with Harshit Rana narrowed the margin, but a run-out ended his heroics. India all out for 165.
New Zealand’s Mitchell Santner claimed 3 wickets, Duffy and Sodhi two each. Matt Henry and Zachary Foulkes took one apiece. The series finale beckons on January 31, where India can seal 4-1.
