CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. 22 (Reuters) – India overcame a mid-innings wobble to beat New Zealand by four wickets in a thrilling first Twenty20 international on Thursday, completing their highest successful T20 run chase against the hosts and taking a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
Chasing 226, India reached 230-6 in 19.4 overs, with Sanju Samson’s explosive opening innings and a late assault from Naman Dhir proving decisive. Shreyas Iyer also played a key role in reviving the chase after New Zealand struck back.
“When they (openers) click, they set up the game for us and the rest of us try to steady the ship and finish,” India captain Iyer said. “He (Dhir) gives us lots of options. I personally feel the calm and composed nature he showed tonight, it was magnificent.”
Put in to bat, New Zealand made the most of favourable conditions as openers Tim Seifert and Finn Allen provided a brisk start before Glenn Phillips powered the hosts to 225-4.
Phillips struck an unbeaten 82 off 40 balls, including eight fours and three sixes, while Allen blasted 45 off 24 deliveries. Bevon Jacobs added 31 before being run out.
New Zealand’s total was their highest in a T20 international against India at home, but the visitors responded with a record chase.
Samson and Abhishek Sharma put on 93 for the opening wicket, with Samson smashing 67 off 33 balls, including eight fours and four sixes, as India raced to 94-1 in the powerplay.
New Zealand then removed three batters in quick succession to put the chase under pressure, but Iyer counter-attacked with 42 off 28 balls before Dhir’s unbeaten 42 sealed victory.
“They (India’s openers) put us under pressure. Another big powerplay from them. We were not at our best,” New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner said.
“In the middle, we did well to squeeze them. Tight game and both teams might look at things that could have gone here or there.”
India’s bowlers had struggled to contain the hosts, with all five used conceding at least 10 runs per over. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, playing his first T20 international in four years after last featuring against New Zealand in 2022, returned figures of 0-49.
The second T20 will be played in Christchurch on Saturday.
