Visakhapatnam, Jan 28 (.) India fell short in their chase of 216, being bowled out for 165 in 18.4 overs against New Zealand in the fourth T20 International of the New Zealand tour of India at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium here on Wednesday night.
Despite a fighting 65 off 23 balls from Shivam Dube, which included seven sixes and three boundaries, India were unable to keep up with the required scoring rate. Rinku Singh contributed a solid 39 off 30 balls, while Sanju Samson chipped in with 24 off 15 deliveries. The rest of the batting lineup struggled to make significant contributions.
Mitchell Santner was the pick of the bowlers for New Zealand, claiming three crucial wickets for just 26 runs. Jacob Duffy and Ish Sodhi supported him with two wickets each, while Zakary Foulkes and Matt Henry took one apiece.
India lost wickets at regular intervals, with early dismissals of Abhishek Sharma (0) and Suryakumar Yadav (8) putting the chase under pressure. The visitors’ disciplined bowling and sharp fielding, including two run-outs, ensured India never settled in the chase.
From the series perspective, New Zealand’s win served as a consolation, with India having already clinched the five-match series 3-1.
Earlier, New Zealand posted a challenging 215 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs after India won the toss and opted to bowl. The visitors rode on an explosive opening stand and strong middle-order hitting to register an imposing total at a brisk run rate of 10.75.
Openers Tim Seifert and Devon Conway gave New Zealand a flying start, adding 100 runs for the first wicket inside nine overs. Seifert led the charge with a fluent 62 off 36 balls, striking seven fours and three sixes, while Conway contributed a rapid 44 off 23 deliveries, including four boundaries and three sixes.
India struck back through Jasprit Bumrah, who dismissed Rachin Ravindra early, before Kuldeep Yadav slowed the momentum with key breakthroughs, accounting for Conway and Glenn Phillips in quick succession.
Phillips made 24 off 16 balls. Despite regular wickets, New Zealand maintained the scoring tempo through Daryl Mitchell, who remained unbeaten on a powerful 39 off 18 balls, laced with two fours and three sixes.
Mitchell Santner chipped in with an 11-ball 11 before being run out, while Zakary Foulkes added late impetus with a quick 13 off six balls. Matt Henry stayed not out on 6.
For India, Kuldeep Yadav was the most effective bowler, finishing with figures of 2 for 39, while Arshdeep Singh also picked up two wickets for 33 runs. Bumrah claimed one wicket for 38 runs. Harshit Rana and Ravi Bishnoi conceded runs at the death without much success.
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