Samson, Dhir power India to record 226-run chase as New Zealand fall in Christchurch T20I opener
India chased down 226 with two balls left at Hagley Oval, their highest successful T20I chase, to go 1-0 up in the five-match series.
India pulled off the biggest successful run chase in their T20 International history on Thursday, overhauling New Zealand’s 225 for 4 with two balls to spare at Hagley Oval in Christchurch to win the opening game of the five-match series by four wickets.
Sanju Samson set up the pursuit with a blistering 67 off 33 balls, and Naman Dhir sealed it with an unbeaten 42 off just 15, finishing the match with a six. India ended on 230 for 6 in 19.4 overs.
Phillips leads New Zealand to 225
Asked to bat after India’s captain Shreyas Iyer chose to field, New Zealand built a towering total around Glenn Phillips, who struck 82 from 40 deliveries. Finn Allen gave the innings a rapid start with 45 off 24, and Bevon Jacobs added a late flourish of 31 from 16 balls.
Mayank Yadav (1 for 40) and Arshdeep Singh (1 for 45) were India’s wicket-takers, but neither could stem the flow of runs on a fast-scoring surface.
Samson’s assault, a mid-innings wobble and Dhir’s finish
Samson and Abhishek Sharma put on 93 for the first wicket inside the Powerplay. Samson reached his half-century in 23 balls and hit eight fours and four sixes before falling to Mitchell Santner with the score on 115 for 2. Abhishek made 29 before Michael Bracewell removed him.
India then lost momentum. Tilak Varma scratched his way to 6 from 11 balls and Ishan Kishan fell for 1, leaving the chase in the balance. Iyer steadied things with 42 off 28 balls and a 45-run fifth-wicket stand with Axar Patel, who chipped in with a quick 24 off 14.
When Iyer was caught by Santner off Adam Milne at 210 for 6, India still needed 16. Dhir, who hit five fours and two sixes in his innings, took them home without further loss. Bracewell (2 for 37) and Santner (2 for 39) were New Zealand’s most successful bowlers.
Records tumble
The win surpassed India’s previous best successful T20I chase of 209, achieved against Australia in Visakhapatnam in 2023. Samson, named Player of the Match, also became the first batter to record seven fifty-plus scores in T20Is at a strike rate above 200, moving past England’s Jos Buttler, who has six.
The series carries extra edge after India beat New Zealand in the T20 World Cup final earlier this year. India now lead 1-0, and the second match is scheduled at the same venue on Saturday.
Sources
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