Chasing a massive target of 256 runs, New Zealand’s batting line-up struggled against a disciplined Indian bowling attack and were bowled out for 159 in 19 overs despite a fighting half-century from Tim Seifert.
The opening batter led the resistance for the Blackcaps with a quick 52 off 26 balls, hitting five sixes and two fours. Apart from him, only Mitchell Santner and Daryl Mitchell reached double figures, scoring 43 and 17 respectively.
India’s bowling attack was spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah, who claimed four wickets for just 15 runs in his four overs. He was supported by Axar Patel, who picked up three wickets, while Varun Chakravarthy, Hardik Pandya and Abhishek Sharma took one wicket each.
Earlier, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner opted to field first, a decision that proved costly as India posted a formidable 255 for 5 in their 20 overs.
India made a blazing start with openers Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson adding 98 runs in just seven overs. Rachin Ravindra eventually broke the partnership in the eighth over, dismissing Sharma for a rapid 52 off 21 balls that included six fours and three sixes.
After the breakthrough, Ishan Kishan joined Samson and the pair continued the aggressive scoring, putting together a 105-run stand for the second wicket in just 47 deliveries before both were dismissed by James Neesham in the 16th over.
Samson top-scored for India with 89 off 46 balls, striking eight sixes and five fours, while Kishan smashed 54 from 25 deliveries with four sixes and four fours.
Neesham then dealt another blow by removing India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav for a golden duck, leaving India at 204 for 4 in 16 overs.
Later, Pandya contributed 18 runs before being dismissed in the penultimate over, while Shivam Dube added late momentum with an unbeaten 26 off just eight balls, hitting three fours and two sixes.
For New Zealand, Neesham was the most successful bowler with three wickets for 46 runs, while Ravindra and Matt Henry picked up one wicket each.
