![India vs New Zealand 1st T20I at Christchurch [Source: @BLACKCAPS/X]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1792660459865_NZvsINDmatch.jpg?type=hq)
India vs New Zealand 1st T20I at Christchurch [Source: @BLACKCAPS/X]
The India vs New Zealand 1st T20I at Hagley Oval, Christchurch saw the hosts pack a mammoth total of 225 runs on board at the loss of just four wickets. Courtesy of Glenn Phillips's impressive 40-ball 82 and the initial firing from Finn Allen and Tim Seifert, New Zealand reached the total despite India packing firepower in the pace and spin departments.
Now, the Men in Blue are facing a solid challenge to chase a total of 226 runs at the New Zealand ground. Ahead of the chase, let's take a look at the highest successful T20I run chase ever made at the Hagley Oval, Christchurch, ground in New Zealand.
Pakistan chased the highest total against Bangladesh in T20Is at Hagley Oval
During the New Zealand T20I tri-series back on October 13, 2022, in the match between Bangladesh and Pakistan, the latter became the winner by chasing a total of 174 runs made by Bangladesh.
The sixth match of the tri-series was played at Christchurch, with Bangladesh coming into bat first. The top order crumbled, with Litton Das and Shakib Al Hasan only scoring 69 and 68 runs, respectively, to pull Bangladesh's total to 173 runs. In response, Pakistan's openers Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam started off cautiously and accelerated quickly to pair up for a solid partnership.
Later, Mohammad Nawaz and Asif Ali saw the end of the game by scoring 177 runs for the team and winning the match with one ball remaining and seven wickets in hand.
For the unaware, the highest-ever team total put up by a first-innings team at Hagley Oval is England's 236 runs against New Zealand in October 2025. However, New Zealand failed to chase the total and were bowled out for 171 runs as England triumphed by 65 runs.
India face heavy challenge from New Zealand bowlers
The India vs New Zealand first T20I will be an exciting showdown since the Indian team comprises talents like Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, and Shreyas Iyer with the bat.
All of these batters have been in terrific form and can add massive value at the top of the batting order. Coming off the West Indies series, Abhishek had a strike rate of 181.25 and will be one of the key players for India alongside Sanju Samson, while Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer will be responsible for tackling the middle order.
Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Naman Dhir will also help take control of the middle phase of the game against New Zealand's bowling attack, featuring Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, among others.
