New Zealand roared back to life in the T20I series against India, demolishing the hosts by 50 runs in Visakhapatnam to claim their first win. Batting first after losing the toss, the visitors rode a historic opening partnership to post 215/7, leaving India chasing shadows at 165 all out.
Devon Conway and Tim Seifert scripted history with a 100-run stand in 8.2 overs – the fastest against India in home T20Is. Conway’s 44 (23b, 4×4, 3×6) set the tone, Seifert’s 62 (36b, 7×4, 3×6) built on it. Daryl Mitchell (39* off 18) and Glenn Phillips (24) finished strongly.
Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav (2/ each), Bumrah, and Bishnoi shared the wickets for India. The chase began disastrously with Abhishek Sharma (0) and Suryakumar Yadav (8) falling cheaply. Rinku Singh (39) and Sanju Samson (24) added 46, but at 82/5, hopes faded.
Shivam Dube’s sensational 65 (23 balls: 3×4, 7×6) – third quickest T20I fifty by an Indian – featured a vital 63-run partnership with Harshit Rana. Yet, a run-out curtailed him, and India collapsed. Santner (3 wickets), Duffy, Sodhi (2 each) dominated bowling.
India leads 3-1 heading into the January 31 decider in Thiruvananthapuram. New Zealand’s resurgence highlights their potential in the shortest format.