New Zealand smash 225 as five India bowlers concede 40-plus for the first time

India’s attack makes unwanted history in Christchurch

India’s bowlers endured a bruising start to the T20I series as New Zealand surged to 225/8 in the first match in Christchurch. For the first time in men’s T20I cricket, five Indian bowlers conceded 40 or more runs in the same innings.

Glenn Phillips led the charge with an unbeaten 82 from 40 balls, while Finn Allen hammered 45 off 24. The total was New Zealand’s highest on home soil and joint-highest against India in men’s T20Is. The unwanted five-bowler milestone had occurred 13 times in men’s T20Is overall, but never before with five India bowlers in one innings.

Phillips finishes strongly after powerplay assault

India’s five bowlers to concede at least 40 were Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who returned 0/49 from four overs; Arshdeep Singh (45); Mayank Yadav (40); Axar Patel (51); and Nitish Reddy (40). India were without Jasprit Bumrah, and the attack could not contain the hosts despite some early movement for the seamers.

Tim Seifert made 24 from 17 balls and Finn Allen attacked in the powerplay, with both openers finding boundaries on the off side. Bhuvneshwar Kumar began with a steady first over, but Seifert struck him for two fours and a six in his next, which cost 17 runs. Allen then took 17 from an Arshdeep Singh over.

Mayank Yadav broke the opening stand when Seifert was caught behind off the final ball of the fifth over. Axar Patel conceded two sixes in the last over of the powerplay, including one to Allen and another to Daryl Mitchell. New Zealand reached 65/1 after six overs.

Arshdeep Singh later dismissed Mitchell, but the scoring continued. Bevon Jacobs added 31 from 16 balls, including a first-ball six off Arshdeep Singh. New Zealand plundered 67 runs in the final five overs, with Phillips ending the innings in style by hitting a switch-hit over cover.