New Zealand produced a powerful performance in the 4th T20I against India at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam, posting a massive 215 for 7 before bowling India out for 165 to secure a 50-run victory and keep the series alive. The result was underpinned by aggressive batting from Tim Seifert and Devon Conway and disciplined bowling from the Kiwi attack, showcasing a complete performance in challenging conditions.
Winning the toss and electing to bat first, New Zealand seized the initiative early. Tim Seifert was the standout performer, scoring a brisk 62 off 36 balls with seven fours and three sixes, setting the tone with fearless strokeplay. Seifert’s aggressive approach helped the Black Caps reach 50 inside the fourth over and gave them a platform to launch a formidable total. Devon Conway’s 44 off 23 complemented Seifert’s innings, with the pair combining for a 100-run opening stand, blunting India’s bowling attack and forcing constant field adjustments.
Seifert and Conway’s partnership put India under pressure from the outset, and although India managed to break through in the middle overs, the Kiwi batters continued to score freely. Daryl Mitchell finished unbeaten on 39 off 18 balls, providing late-inning impetus with powerful hitting to push New Zealand past the 200 mark. Contributions from other batters ensured that the total remained intimidating, and the visitors finished with plenty to defend.
In reply, India found themselves in early trouble. A top-order collapse saw India lose key wickets quickly, with Suryakumar Yadav and Abhishek Sharma falling cheaply. Shivam Dube provided resistance with a furious 65 off 23 balls, including seven sixes and three fours, but his efforts came too late to turn the tide. Rinku Singh chipped in with 39, but the required rate climbed steadily, and India were unable to stitch together sustained partnerships. The hosts were eventually dismissed for 165 in 18.4 overs, well short of the target.
New Zealand’s bowlers executed their plans with discipline. Mitchell Santner was the pick of the attack, claiming 3 for 26 with tight, probing lines that regularly broke India’s momentum. Jacob Duffy added 2 for 33, while the rest of the bowling unit supported effectively to maintain pressure throughout the innings. The combined effort ensured India’s chase never really got going beyond Dube’s defiant cameo.
The victory was a statement for New Zealand, who had struggled earlier in the series. After losing the first three T20Is, this win not only kept the series alive but also demonstrated their resilience and ability to perform under pressure. The match also served as a valuable confidence boost ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which begins shortly, giving New Zealand a morale-boosting performance against quality opposition.
For India, the loss highlighted continuing issues in the middle order and consistency under pressure. Despite the brilliance of Dube’s innings — one of the fastest half-centuries by an Indian in T20Is during a steep chase — India lacked the support needed to sustain a serious challenge. The fielding side also had moments of brilliance, including a remarkable direct hit to dismiss an Australia-bound New Zealand batter, but it wasn’t enough to counter New Zealand’s dominance with bat and ball.
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