New Zealand made a stunning comeback in the fourth T20 International against India at Visakhapatnam, securing a dominant 50-run victory. Despite this loss, India continues to lead the five-match series 3-1, while after being put into bat first, the Black Caps posted a massive total of 215/7 in their 20 over quota. In response, the Indian batting lineup faltered under pressure and was bundled out for 165 in 18, while 4 overs.
Kiwi Batters Dominate the Powerplay
The foundation of New Zealand's victory was laid by their top-order batsmen. Tim Seifert played a blistering knock of 62 runs, taking the Indian bowlers to the cleaners right from the start, while he was ably supported by Devon Conway, who contributed a solid 44 runs. Their aggressive approach during the powerplay ensured that New Zealand stayed ahead of the run rate throughout the innings. The Indian bowlers struggled to find the right length on a surface that offered plenty of runs.
India's Bowling Struggles and Breakthroughs
While the Kiwis were scoring freely, India managed to pick up wickets at regular intervals to prevent an even larger total, while kuldeep Yadav was the pick of the spinners, claiming two crucial wickets, while Arshdeep Singh also chipped in with two scalps. However, the death bowling remained a concern as New Zealand managed to cross the 200-run mark comfortably, while the target of 216 proved to be too steep for the Men in Blue on this occasion.
Shivam Dube's Lone Battle
India's chase got off to a rocky start as the openers failed to provide a solid platform, while shivam Dube, however, kept the hopes alive with a sensational display of power hitting. Dube smashed 65 runs off just 23 deliveries, keeping the crowd on their feet. Rinku Singh (39) and Sanju Samson (24) tried to build partnerships, but the lack of support from the other end and the rising required run rate eventually led to India's downfall. No other Indian batter could reach double digits.
Mitchell Santner's Captain's Knock with the Ball
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner led from the front with the ball. His exceptional spell of spin bowling dismantled the Indian middle order, while santner finished with figures of 4 wickets, effectively ending India's chances of a comeback. Jacob Duffy and Ish Sodhi supported him well with two wickets each. The disciplined bowling performance by the visitors ensured that India never got back into the game after Dube's dismissal.
Series Outlook and Final Match
With the series now standing at 3-1, the focus shifts to the final T20I scheduled to be played in Thiruvananthapuram on January 31st. While India has already clinched the series, this loss highlights areas for improvement before the upcoming assignments. New Zealand, on the other hand, will be relieved to have finally registered a. Win on this tour and will look to end the series on a high note.