New Zealand recovered from a series deficit to post a competitive 215 for 7 in the first innings of the fourth T20 International against India at the ACA-VDCA Stadium on Wednesday evening, setting the hosts a target of 216 for victory.
After India captain Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and elected to field, hoping to exploit early conditions, New Zealand openers Devon Conway and Tim Seifert launched a ferocious counter-attack. The pair raced to a 100-run opening partnership in just 8.1 overs, laying a solid foundation on a batting-friendly surface.
Seifert was the aggressor, racing to a 25-ball fifty – his knock eventually ending at 62 off 36 deliveries, laced with seven fours and three sixes. Conway provided steady support with 44 off 23 balls, including three maximum4s, before holing out to Kuldeep Yadav in the ninth over.
India struck back immediately after the century stand, with Jasprit Bumrah removing Rachin Ravindra for 2. The spinners Kuldeep Yadav (2/39) and Ravi Bishnoi (1/49) applied pressure in the middle overs, claiming key wickets of Glenn Phillips (24) and Mark Chapman (9). At one stage, New Zealand slipped to 152/5, threatening a collapse.
However, Daryl Mitchell’s unbeaten 39 off 18 balls, including three sixes, injected late momentum. Contributions from Zakary Foulkes (13 off 6) and a quick 11 from captain Mitchell Santner helped the Kiwis plunder 63 runs in the final five overs, pushing the total beyond 200.
India’s bowling attack, while picking up regular wickets, struggled for control in the death overs. Arshdeep Singh was the pick with 2/33, while Harshit Rana (0/54) and Bishnoi proved expensive.
The 216-run target is the highest ever set in a T20I at Visakhapatnam, surpassing previous benchmarks. The venue’s highest successful T20 chase stands at 210 (by Delhi Capitals against Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2025).
With India’s dynamic batting line-up featuring in-form players like Abhishek Sharma, captain Suryakumar Yadav, and hard-hitters down the order, a record-breaking chase is firmly on the cards. The hosts, aiming to extend their dominance in the five-match series, will back themselves on a dew-assisted surface.
The second innings is underway, promising a high-octane finish under lights in Vizag. Stay tuned for live updates.
