Samson’s 67 and Dhir’s late blitz power India to record chase in Christchurch

Samson lights up the Powerplay as India chase 226

India opened their five-match T20I series against New Zealand with a four-wicket win in Christchurch, completing a record successful T20I chase with two balls remaining. Set a target of 226 after New Zealand made 225, India finished on 230 for six in 19.4 overs.

Sanju Samson gave the visitors a flying start, smashing 67 from 33 balls in a 93-run opening stand with Abhishek Sharma, who made 29 from 12. India raced to 94 for one in the Powerplay, and Samson’s assault—including a 22-run over against Lockie Ferguson—put the chase firmly ahead of the required rate.

New Zealand spinners trigger a wobble

Michael Bracewell and Mitchell Santner dragged New Zealand back into the contest with a disciplined spell through the middle overs. After Abhishek Sharma fell, Samson, Tilak Varma and Ishan Kishan were dismissed in quick succession, leaving India at 122 for four after having been 93 without loss.

Samson’s dismissal, attempting to cut a wide delivery, was followed by Tilak’s 6 from 11 balls and Kishan’s departure as India struggled to find boundaries against spin. The hosts had a chance to tighten their grip further, but dropped catches gave India an opening.

Iyer and Dhir take India home

Axar Patel steadied the innings alongside Shreyas Iyer, adding valuable runs before Ferguson removed Axar for 24 from 14 balls. Iyer then benefited from a difficult chance dropped by Finn Allen. With India needing 55 from the last 30 balls, Iyer and Naman Dhir kept the chase alive, taking 19 runs from a Santner over to swing the pressure back onto New Zealand.

Iyer made 42 before falling, but Dhir stayed composed. He struck an unbeaten 42 from just 15 deliveries and finished the match with a four and a six in the final over. India’s late acceleration overcame the spin-induced scare and secured the visitors an early lead in the series.

Phillips leads New Zealand to 225

Earlier, Glenn Phillips powered New Zealand to 225 for four, their highest T20I total at home, with an unbeaten 82 from 40 balls. Finn Allen contributed 45 from 24, while Bevon Jacobs added 31 from 16 during a 73-run partnership with Phillips that set up the final overs. New Zealand scored 67 in the last five overs.

India’s bowlers had difficulty containing the scoring, with all five conceding more than 40 runs. Mayank Yadav took one wicket, while Arshdeep Singh dismissed Daryl Mitchell. New Zealand’s spinners briefly made India work for the chase, but Samson’s explosive start and Dhir’s finishing burst proved decisive.

Result: New Zealand 225/4 (20 overs) lost to India 230/6 (19.4 overs) by four wickets. Samson 67, Iyer 42, Dhir 42*; Phillips 82*, Allen 45; Bracewell 2/39.