![New Zealand beat India in 4th T20I. [Source - @blackcaps/x]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1769619193695_NewZealandbeatIndiain4thT20I.jpg?type=hq)
New Zealand beat India in 4th T20I. [Source - @blackcaps/x]
New Zealand outplayed India by 50 runs in the fourth T20I of the five-match series on Wednesday, January 28 at Visakhapatnam. After three losses on the trot, the visitors came back strongly to register a much-needed victory, pulling the series score-line back to 1–3, with one final T20I in hand.
A dominant display with the bat followed by an outstanding bowling performance saw New Zealand secure a comprehensive win. Here, we take a look at the complete highlights of the fourth T20I between India and New Zealand, as it unfolded on Wednesday, January 28, in Visakhapatnam.
Indian bowlers struggled early as New Zealand got off to a flyer
Asked to bat first, New Zealand made a flying start as the openers attacked from the beginning, looking to set a challenging total against India. Tim Seifert led the charge, hammering 46 off 21 balls as New Zealand raced to 71 without loss by the end of the powerplay.
Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav tried both pace and spin, but nothing slowed the scoring. The New Zealand openers continued at nearly twelve runs an over, building strong pressure and moving close to a century opening stand by the end of eight overs.
India’s fightback undone as Daryl Mitchell’s late fireworks power New Zealand to 215
Just when New Zealand’s openers looked set to completely derail India’s plans, Kuldeep Yadav got the breakthrough as Devon Conway fell after a 100-run opening stand. Jasprit Bumrah returned soon after and removed Rachin Ravindra, bringing India back in the game.
Glenn Phillips tried to keep New Zealand moving with a couple of big hits, but India responded quickly. Arshdeep Singh came back to remove Tim Seifert after a well-made 62 off 36, while Kuldeep trapped Phillips again, dismissing him for the fourth time in five T20 innings.
After a strong start, New Zealand lost momentum and slipped to 163 for six with the slog overs remaining. Daryl Mitchell then took control, launching a late assault, smashing 47 runs in the final three overs, including 19 off Bumrah, finishing unbeaten on 39 off 18 himself to push New Zealand to 215.
Early blows and spin web leave India reeling early in the chase
Chasing 216, India suffered a disastrous start, losing Abhishek Sharma and skipper Suryakumar Yadav inside the first two overs. Sanju Samson and Rinku Singh steadied things briefly, guiding India to 53 without further loss at the end of the powerplay.
Samson, desperate for runs, looked fluent but fell just after the powerplay as Mitchell Santner made an immediate impact, striking twice and removing Hardik Pandya soon after. With Ish Sodhi applying pressure as well, Rinku Singh also departed, leaving India in deep trouble at 87 for five by the end of eleven overs.
Shivam Dube’s blazing effort in vain as New Zealand close out victory
With New Zealand firmly in control, India needed a rescue act and Shivam Dube provided it. He launched a fierce counterattack, smashing Ish Sodhi for 29 in one over. Even after pacers returned, the left-hander kept attacking, racing to a 15-ball half-century.
Just when India sensed a comeback, misfortune struck. Dube was run out at the non-striker’s end, ending a valiant 65-run knock and India’s last real hope. From there, New Zealand’s spinners tightened their grip and bowled India out for 165.
Captain Santner led from the front with a superb 3 for 26, while Ish Sodhi impressed despite one expensive over. Matt Henry and Jacob Duffy struck early in the powerplay, removing India’s key batters and shaping a comprehensive New Zealand victory.
