India completed a thrilling four-wicket win over New Zealand in the opening T20I at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, with Naman Dhir finishing an unbeaten 42 off just 15 balls. Chasing 226, India reached 230/6 with two balls to spare, their highest-ever successful run chase in T20I history. The result gives India a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
Sanju Samson laid the foundation with a blistering 67 off 33 balls, but a mid-innings collapse threatened to derail the visitors before Dhir’s power-hitting got them over the line.
New Zealand build a big total
New Zealand posted 225/4 after Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to field. The Blackcaps’ top order set a relentless pace from the outset, with Finn Allen racing to 45 off 24 deliveries alongside Tim Seifert.
India secured brief breakthroughs through Mayank Yadav and Axar Patel, but Glenn Phillips seized control of the middle and death overs. He struck an unbeaten 82 from just 40 balls, hitting eight boundaries and three sixes. Daryl Mitchell provided sharp support with an brisk 28 off 19 balls, and together they carried the hosts past 220.
Samson and Abhishek get India off to a flying start
India’s reply began in blistering fashion. Samson and Abhishek Sharma put on 68 runs in the first four overs, keeping the required rate firmly in check. Samson was in pristine touch, reaching his half-century in style and dictating terms against the New Zealand pace attack.
New Zealand then fought back through their spinners. Michael Bracewell broke the opening stand by dismissing Abhishek for 29. Mitchell Santner, the Blackcaps captain, struck twice in quick succession to remove Samson and Ishan Kishan. India went from a comfortable 93/0 to a precarious 122/4 at the midway point of the chase.
Iyer and Patel revive the chase, Dhir finishes it
With the required rate climbing, Iyer (42 off 28) and Patel (24 off 14) combined to revive India’s hopes. They launched a 20-run counter-attack against Matt Henry in the 14th over.
When Iyer fell in the penultimate over with 15 runs still needed, Dhir stepped up. The right-hander produced a breathtaking, unbeaten cameo, dispatching the bowling with supreme confidence. With just three runs required from the final four deliveries, he launched Henry over deep fine leg for a six to seal a historic victory for the visitors.
Series schedule
Both sides now turn their attention to the second match of the series. The remaining fixtures are:
- First T20I: Hagley Oval, Christchurch (India won by 4 wickets)
- Second T20I: 24 October, Christchurch
- Third T20I: 27 October, Wellington
- Fourth T20I: 30 October, Auckland
- Fifth T20I: 1 November, Hamilton