Visakhapatnam, Jan 28 (.) New Zealand posted a challenging 215 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs against India in the fourth T20 International of the New Zealand tour of India, 2026, at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium here on Wednesday night.
Asked to bat 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 maximums.
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.
New Zealand scored 71 runs in the mandatory Powerplay and kept India under pressure throughout the innings with consistent boundary-hitting.
India will need a strong batting effort under lights to chase down the stiff target of 216 and stay alive in the contest.
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