India pull off record chase to sink New Zealand

India pulled off a stunning chase to beat New Zealand in the opening T20 international in Christchurch on Thursday (October 22), overhauling the hosts’ 225-run total with aggressive batting from Sanju Samson, Shreyas Iyer and Naman Dhir.

India raced to 94 runs in the powerplay before Abhishek Sharma departed for 29 off 12 balls, including three sixes and two fours.

Samson continued the assault, smashing 67 off 33 deliveries with eight fours and four sixes. His dismissal at 115, however, gave New Zealand an opportunity to fight back.

Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell struck crucial blows as India slipped to 122-4, with Tilak Varma scoring one and Ishan Kishan departing cheaply.

Axar Patel added 24 off 14 balls before falling to Lockie Ferguson, leaving India at 167-5. Captain Shreyas Iyer then scored 42 to keep the chase alive before being dismissed at 210.

Naman Dhir sealed the chase with an unbeaten 42 off 15 balls, hitting five fours and two sixes to guide India home.

Earlier, New Zealand posted 225 after being asked to bat first. Glenn Phillips led the innings with an unbeaten 82 off 40 balls, while Finn Allen scored 45 off 24 deliveries and Bevon Jacobs made 31 off 16 balls. Daryl Mitchell added 28 and Tim Seifert contributed 24.

Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav and Axar Patel took one wicket each for India.