Sanju Samson continued his consistent run in T20Is this year with a 67 off 33 balls as India pulled off their highest successful chase in T20 cricket, beating New Zealand by four wickets in the first match of the five-game series in Christchurch on Thursday.Chasing 226, India got off to a flying start but lost their way in the middle overs before captain Shreyas Iyer and Naman Dhir helped them cross the finish line with two balls to spare. Shreyas scored 42, while Naman remained unbeaten on 42 off just 15 deliveries.Highest successful chases for India in T20Is
- 226 vs NZ, Christchurch, 2026
- 209 vs AUS, Visakhapatnam, 2023
- 209 vs NZ, Raipur, 2026
- 208 vs WI, Hyderabad, 2019
- 207 vs SL, Mohali, 2009
- 204 vs NZ, Auckland, 2020
The second T20I will also be played at Hagley Oval on Saturday.India looked in control after racing to 94/1 in the powerplay, with Samson leading the charge. However, New Zealand spinners Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell brought the hosts back into the game, as India lost three wickets for seven runs. From 93 without loss, the visitors slipped to 122/4 in the 11th over.The long boundaries also played a part in India’s middle-order collapse, with Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma losing their wickets while attempting to clear the ropes.Samson, however, had already given India the platform they needed. He struck eight fours and four sixes in his 67, registering his eighth score of 50 or more in 26 innings this year. He targeted the straight boundary regularly, with his flick off Lockie Ferguson over long-on standing out.Abhishek Sharma supported Samson during their 93-run opening partnership, scoring 29 off 12 balls. He pulled Adam Milne for two consecutive sixes in the fourth over as India raced towards the target.With the chase in danger of slipping away, Shreyas took responsibility and kept India in contention. He also benefited from a reprieve when Finn Allen dropped a difficult catch in the 15th over. India needed 55 runs from the final 30 balls, with five wickets remaining.Naman joined Shreyas and struck timely boundaries to ease the pressure. Their contributions proved enough to take India over the line in a tense finish.Earlier, New Zealand posted 225/8 after being asked to bat, with Finn Allen scoring 45 off 24 balls and Glenn Phillips making an unbeaten 82 off 40. The total was New Zealand’s highest on home soil and the joint-highest score against India in T20Is.Despite some early swing, the New Zealand openers found ways to score freely. Tim Seifert, who made 24 off 17 balls, attacked Bhuvneshwar Kumar after the Indian pacer bowled a decent first over. Seifert struck two fours and a six over long-on in Bhuvneshwar’s next over, which cost 17 runs.Allen then attacked Arshdeep Singh, helping New Zealand build momentum in the powerplay. Mayank Yadav gave India a breakthrough when Seifert was caught behind off the final ball of the fifth over.Axar Patel, bowling the last over of the powerplay, conceded two sixes as Allen cleared long-off and Daryl Mitchell stepped out to hit over long-on. New Zealand reached 65/1 in the first six overs.Arshdeep later dismissed Mitchell, but India’s bowlers struggled to contain the scoring. Bhuvneshwar conceded 49 runs without taking a wicket in four overs, while Axar gave away 51. Bevon Jacobs added 31 off 16 balls, including a first-ball six down the ground off Arshdeep, before Phillips finished the innings with a switch hit over cover.New Zealand scored 67 runs in the final five overs, setting India a target of 226. However, Samson’s innings and the late contributions from Shreyas and Naman ensured the visitors began the series with a win.
