India overcome Black Caps fightback to win T20 opener
-Oct-22-2026-04-47-26-6374-PM.jpg?width=740&height=400&name=OPINION%20(2)-Oct-22-2026-04-47-26-6374-PM.jpg)
India overcame a spirited Black Caps fightback after a blazing start to secure a thrilling four-wicket victory in Christchurch on Thursday and take a 1-0 lead in the five-match T20 series.
India survived a mid-innings wobble in a 226-run chase after openers Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma laid the platform, with Shreyas Iyer's contribution reviving the chase and Naman Dhir applying the finishing touches to seal victory in 19.4 overs.
Put in to bat, New Zealand made the most of favourable conditions as openers Tim Seifert and Finn Allen set the tone before Glenn Phillips produced a dazzling knock to propel the hosts to 225-4.
The total was New Zealand's biggest T20 score against India on home soil, but the visitors completed their highest-ever successful run chase despite a stuttering middle phase.
Samson and Abhishek stitched together a 93-run opening stand, with Samson hammering 67 off 33 balls, including eight fours and four sixes, as India surged to 94-1 in the powerplay.
New Zealand hit back by removing three batters in quick succession, but Iyer countered with 42 off 28 balls to wrest back the momentum, before a late flourish from Dhir (42 not out) took India over the line.
Seifert and Allen had earlier given New Zealand a solid platform, helping the hosts reach 65-1 in the powerplay, with Allen blasting 45 off 24 balls.
Phillips then took charge, producing an unbeaten 82 off 40 deliveries, including eight fours and three sixes, while Bevon Jacobs added 31 before being run out.
India's bowlers struggled to contain the scoring, with all five used going at 10 runs an over or more.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, playing his first T20I in four years after last featuring against New Zealand in 2022, endured an expensive return with figures of 0-49.
The second T20 will be played on Saturday in Christchurch. - Reuters
Black Caps squad
Mitchell Santner led an expanded 16-man squad for the five-games, however one key figure was missing.
Rachin Ravindra dislocated his right shoulder during a shoot last week and has been ruled out for at least six weeks.
The all-rounder is expected to make his return in time for the one day series on 4 November.
A total of 13 players from the squad that finished runner-up in this year's T20 World Cup were named, including Michael Bracewell and Adam Milne, who were sidelined from the tournament with injury.
Milne last played for New Zealand against Zimbabwe over a year ago, and bolstered a line-up of seasoned pace bowlers including Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, and Jacob Duffy, as well as young guns Zak Foulkes and Nathan Smith.
Hard-hitting openers Tim Seifert and Finn Allen were reunited at the top of the order for the first time since their impressive World Cup campaign, which saw Allen blast an unbeaten century off just 33 balls against South Africa in the semis with Seifert's smacking 58 off 33 the team cruised to a nine-wicket win.
Ben Sears was not considered for selection as he continues to rehabilitate his ankle injury.
The teams met at Hagley Oval for the opening match in what was their first meeting since the World Cup final in March.
Head coach Rob Walter said the India series was an exciting prospect.
"It's going to be awesome to welcome India to our shores and get summer underway. India is a quality team and a challenging opposition, so to take them on in our own conditions in front of Kiwi fans is really exciting. We hear most of the games are going to be sold-out and it should make for some incredible occasions."
Walter said they were close to a full-strength squad which covers all bases, though said he was "gutted" for Ravindra.
"He's going to play a big role for us this summer so it's important that he doesn't rush his rehab, but we're optimistic he'll be back for the ODI's."
Black Caps T20 squad for India series:
- Mitchell Santner (C)
- Finn Allen
- Michael Bracewell
- Mark Chapman
- Devon Conway
- Jacob Duffy
- Lockie Ferguson
- Zak Foulkes
- Matt Henry
- Bevon Jacobs
- Kyle Jamieson
- Adam Milne
- Daryl Mitchell
- Glenn Phillips
- Tim Seifert
- Nathan Smith
India overcame a spirited Black Caps fightback after a blazing start to secure a thrilling four-wicket victory in Christchurch on Thursday and take a 1-0 lead in the five-match T20 series.
India survived a mid-innings wobble in a 226-run chase after openers Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma laid...
India overcame a spirited Black Caps fightback after a blazing start to secure a thrilling four-wicket victory in Christchurch on Thursday and take a 1-0 lead in the five-match T20 series.
India survived a mid-innings wobble in a 226-run chase after openers Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma laid the platform, with Shreyas Iyer's contribution reviving the chase and Naman Dhir applying the finishing touches to seal victory in 19.4 overs.
Put in to bat, New Zealand made the most of favourable conditions as openers Tim Seifert and Finn Allen set the tone before Glenn Phillips produced a dazzling knock to propel the hosts to 225-4.
The total was New Zealand's biggest T20 score against India on home soil, but the visitors completed their highest-ever successful run chase despite a stuttering middle phase.
Samson and Abhishek stitched together a 93-run opening stand, with Samson hammering 67 off 33 balls, including eight fours and four sixes, as India surged to 94-1 in the powerplay.
New Zealand hit back by removing three batters in quick succession, but Iyer countered with 42 off 28 balls to wrest back the momentum, before a late flourish from Dhir (42 not out) took India over the line.
Seifert and Allen had earlier given New Zealand a solid platform, helping the hosts reach 65-1 in the powerplay, with Allen blasting 45 off 24 balls.
Phillips then took charge, producing an unbeaten 82 off 40 deliveries, including eight fours and three sixes, while Bevon Jacobs added 31 before being run out.
India's bowlers struggled to contain the scoring, with all five used going at 10 runs an over or more.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, playing his first T20I in four years after last featuring against New Zealand in 2022, endured an expensive return with figures of 0-49.
The second T20 will be played on Saturday in Christchurch. - Reuters
Black Caps squad
Mitchell Santner led an expanded 16-man squad for the five-games, however one key figure was missing.
Rachin Ravindra dislocated his right shoulder during a shoot last week and has been ruled out for at least six weeks.
The all-rounder is expected to make his return in time for the one day series on 4 November.
A total of 13 players from the squad that finished runner-up in this year's T20 World Cup were named, including Michael Bracewell and Adam Milne, who were sidelined from the tournament with injury.
Milne last played for New Zealand against Zimbabwe over a year ago, and bolstered a line-up of seasoned pace bowlers including Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, and Jacob Duffy, as well as young guns Zak Foulkes and Nathan Smith.
Hard-hitting openers Tim Seifert and Finn Allen were reunited at the top of the order for the first time since their impressive World Cup campaign, which saw Allen blast an unbeaten century off just 33 balls against South Africa in the semis with Seifert's smacking 58 off 33 the team cruised to a nine-wicket win.
Ben Sears was not considered for selection as he continues to rehabilitate his ankle injury.
The teams met at Hagley Oval for the opening match in what was their first meeting since the World Cup final in March.
Head coach Rob Walter said the India series was an exciting prospect.
"It's going to be awesome to welcome India to our shores and get summer underway. India is a quality team and a challenging opposition, so to take them on in our own conditions in front of Kiwi fans is really exciting. We hear most of the games are going to be sold-out and it should make for some incredible occasions."
Walter said they were close to a full-strength squad which covers all bases, though said he was "gutted" for Ravindra.
"He's going to play a big role for us this summer so it's important that he doesn't rush his rehab, but we're optimistic he'll be back for the ODI's."
Black Caps T20 squad for India series:
- Mitchell Santner (C)
- Finn Allen
- Michael Bracewell
- Mark Chapman
- Devon Conway
- Jacob Duffy
- Lockie Ferguson
- Zak Foulkes
- Matt Henry
- Bevon Jacobs
- Kyle Jamieson
- Adam Milne
- Daryl Mitchell
- Glenn Phillips
- Tim Seifert
- Nathan Smith
Related Posts
ISSUE
Leave a Comment