New Zealand delivered a clinical performance to defeat India by 50 runs in the fourth T20 International at the Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, registering a consolation win in a dead rubber.
The visitors posted a challenging 215/7 before bundling out India for 165 in 18.4 overs, avoiding a series whitewash as India took an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series.
India captain Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and elected to field first, hoping to exploit early conditions. However, New Zealand’s openers Devon Conway and Tim Seifert had other plans, racing to 71/0 in the powerplay. Conway struck 44 off 23 balls with four boundaries and three sixes, while Seifert anchored the innings with a brisk 62 off 36 deliveries, including seven fours and three sixes. Their 100-run partnership in just 8.2 overs set a solid foundation.
The Indian bowlers fought back in the middle overs, with Kuldeep Yadav (2/39) and Arshdeep Singh (2/33) picking up crucial wickets. Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Rachin Ravindra for 2, while Ravi Bishnoi removed Mark Chapman. Late cameos from Daryl Mitchell (39* off 18) and Zak Foulkes (13 off 6) propelled New Zealand past 200, finishing at 215/7.
Chasing 216, India suffered an early collapse. Abhishek Sharma was dismissed off the very first ball by Matt Henry, and Suryakumar Yadav fell to a sharp return catch by Jacob Duffy for 8. Sanju Samson provided brief resistance with 24 off 15, but Mitchell Santner struck twice in quick succession to remove him and Hardik Pandya (2), reducing India to 63/4.
Rinku Singh steadied the ship with 39 off 30, but Shivam Dube unleashed a sensational counter-attack, smashing 65 off just 23 balls – including three fours and seven towering sixes. His 15-ball fifty gave India fleeting hope, adding 63 runs for the sixth wicket. However, a run-out ended Dube’s blitz, triggering a lower-order collapse.
Santner capped off a Player-of-the-Match worthy all-round display (ear 11 off 6) with bowling figures of 3/26, while Ish Sodhi (2/46) and Jacob Duffy (2/33) chipped in effectively. Tim Seifert was ultimately named Player of the Match for his match-defining knock.
Despite the loss, India heads into the final T20I with momentum from their three consecutive victories earlier in the series. New Zealand, led by stand-in captain Santner, will take confidence from this comprehensive win, highlighting their depth in batting and spin bowling.
