New Zealand returned to winning ways with a convincing 50-run victory over India in the fourth T20 International at Visakhapatnam. Despite India already sealing the series, the match saw the visitors deliver a composed all-round performance, led by key contributions from Tim Seifert and Mitchell Santner.
Batting first, New Zealand put up an imposing total of 215 for 7 in 20 overs, a score that proved too steep for the Indian batting lineup. India were eventually bowled out for 165, falling well short of the target.
Tim Seifert Stars at the Top
New Zealand’s strong total was built on an excellent start from the openers. Tim Seifert played a confident innings, scoring 62 runs off 36 balls. His aggressive approach in the powerplay allowed New Zealand to dominate the early phase of the innings.
Seifert found solid support from Devon Conway, who contributed 44 runs from 23 balls. The pair put together a rapid century partnership, putting India under pressure and setting the platform for a high total.
Middle Overs and Late Acceleration
India managed to pull things back briefly in the middle overs by picking up a few quick wickets. However, New Zealand regained momentum through smart batting and controlled shot selection.
A crucial late contribution came from Daryl Mitchell, who remained unbeaten on 39 off 18 balls. His clean hitting in the final overs helped New Zealand cross the 200-run mark, giving their bowlers a strong total to defend.
India’s Chase Falls Short
India’s chase started on an unsteady note, with early wickets putting the team on the back foot. Although the required run rate remained achievable early on, consistent breakthroughs by New Zealand’s bowlers prevented India from building partnerships.
The standout performance for India came from Shivam Dube, who smashed 65 runs off just 23 balls. His aggressive knock briefly raised hopes of a comeback, but once he was dismissed, the chase lost momentum.
Rinku Singh added 39 runs, but with wickets falling regularly, India were eventually bowled out in the 19th over.
Mitchell Santner Leads the Bowling Attack
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner played a key role with the ball, finishing with impressive figures of 3 wickets for 26 runs. His controlled spell in the middle overs broke India’s rhythm and ensured the run rate kept climbing.
The rest of the bowling unit supported Santner well, maintaining discipline and applying pressure throughout the innings.
Series Update and Conclusion
The win marked New Zealand’s first victory of the series, reducing the margin to 3–1. While India remain ahead, the match highlighted areas they will look to improve, particularly in bowling at the death and middle-order stability.
For New Zealand, the result provided confidence and momentum heading into the final match of the series.
Match Summary
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New Zealand: 215/7 (20 overs)
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India: 165 all out (18.4 overs)
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Result: New Zealand won by 50 runs

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