A masterclass in run-chasing saw India edge past New Zealand by four wickets in a high-scoring thriller on Thursday to claim the opening match of their five-match T20I series. Asked to chase a daunting target of 226, India reached 230 for 6 in 19.4 overs, thanks to Sanju Samson’s magnificent 67 and a match-winning, unbeaten 42 off just 15 deliveries by Naman Dhir.
New Zealand’s innings had earlier set the ground ablaze, with Glenn Phillips hammering an unbeaten 82 and Finn Allen adding 45 to register the hosts’ highest T20I total on home soil. While India’s bowling attack struggled—with Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Axar Patel conceding heavily—the batting lineup showed immense resilience. After a brief middle-order stumble caused by New Zealand’s spin attack, Shreyas Iyer and Naman Dhir steadied the ship, ultimately steering India across the finish line with two balls remaining.
