India opted to bowl after winning the toss in the fourth T20I against New Zealand in Vizag, with captain Suryakumar Yadav citing dew and batting conditions later in the evening. New Zealand posted a competitive 215 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs, built on a strong opening stand and late-order acceleration.
Arshdeep Singh opened the bowling as Tim Seifert and Devon Conway provided New Zealand with a brisk start. The pair scored freely in the power play, finding boundaries on both sides of the wicket and bringing up the team’s fifty inside five overs.
Openers Lay the Platform
Seifert was particularly aggressive, reaching his half-century with a mix of lofted shots and placements. Conway supported him effectively as New Zealand crossed 100 without loss. India’s first breakthrough came when Kuldeep Yadav dismissed Conway for 44, ending a 100-run opening stand.
Soon after, Jasprit Bumrah removed Rachin Ravindra, and India began to claw back some control through disciplined middle-overs bowling. Kuldeep struck again to dismiss Glenn Phillips, while Ravi Bishnoi and Harshit Rana kept the scoring in check.
Late Push Takes New Zealand Past 200
Daryl Mitchell anchored the latter half of the innings, striking timely boundaries and clearing the ropes against pace and spin. Despite wickets falling at regular intervals, New Zealand maintained momentum. Arshdeep Singh removed Zakary Foulkes late in the innings, but Mitchell’s clean hitting ensured the visitors crossed the 210 mark. The innings ended at 215 for 7.
Santner Spins India Into Trouble
India’s chase began on a disastrous note as Abhishek Sharma was dismissed on the first ball by Matt Henry. Jacob Duffy then accounted for Suryakumar Yadav, leaving India two down inside the opening overs.
Mitchell Santner turned the game decisively in New Zealand’s favor during the power play and middle overs. He bowled Sanju Samson for 24 with a delivery that breached the defense before removing Hardik Pandya for 2, caught at backward point. Santner’s spell reduced India to 64 for 4 inside nine overs, placing the chase firmly under pressure.
With wickets falling and the required rate climbing, India were left needing a significant recovery to stay in the contest, as New Zealand’s bowlers capitalized on early breakthroughs and disciplined fielding.
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