All-round New Zealand consolation win in Vizag as Tim Seifert and Devon Conway star with the bat and bowlers seal a 50-run victory despite Shivam Dube’s explosive 65.
All-round New Zealand Consolation Win in Vizag
The all-round New Zealand consolation win in Visakhapatnam came on the back of a dominant batting display and a disciplined bowling effort, as the visitors defeated India by 50 runs in the high-scoring fourth T20I on Wednesday. Despite a breathtaking counter-attack from Shivam Dube, New Zealand registered their first win of the series.
Chasing a daunting target of 216, India were always playing catch-up, and while Dube’s late fireworks briefly reignited hopes, the damage had already been done.
Dube’s Blazing Knock Goes in Vain
Walking in during the ninth over with India struggling at 63 for 4, Shivam Dube launched a ferocious assault on the New Zealand bowlers. He announced his arrival with a towering 101-metre six off Mitchell Santner and continued to clear the ropes with ease.
Dube tore into Ish Sodhi for 29 runs in a single over and followed it up by hammering Jacob Duffy for consecutive sixes to bring up a stunning half-century off just 15 balls. He remained unfazed even against pace, pulling Matt Henry for multiple boundaries.
However, with wickets tumbling at the other end and Rinku Singh already dismissed, Dube was left fighting a lone battle. A moment of misfortune ended his innings when Harshit Rana’s straight drive deflected off Henry onto the stumps, catching Dube short at the non-striker’s end. That dismissal effectively sealed India’s fate.
India were eventually bowled out for 165 in 18.4 overs.
India’s Top Order Collapse Hurts the Chase
India’s aggressive approach at the top backfired badly. Abhishek Sharma fell for a golden duck, slicing one to backward point, while Suryakumar Yadav drove straight back to Jacob Duffy in the second over.
Sanju Samson and Rinku Singh attempted to steady the innings, but Samson was cleaned up by Santner soon after the PowerPlay. Hardik Pandya’s dismissal shortly after left India in deep trouble, exposing a lower order that failed to offer sustained resistance.
Seifert and Conway Lay the Foundation
Earlier, New Zealand produced a blistering start thanks to Tim Seifert and Devon Conway. Seifert took on Arshdeep Singh in the opening over, smashing three boundaries, and continued his dominance against Harshit Rana with a mix of power and timing.
Seifert brought up his half-century inside the PowerPlay with a six off Jasprit Bumrah, while Conway cut loose against Kuldeep Yadav to ensure the momentum stayed firmly with the visitors.
The opening pair added a century stand inside nine overs on a batting-friendly surface, setting the platform for a massive total.
Middle Overs and Death Push Power New Zealand to 215
After Conway departed for 44 and Seifert fell soon after for a fluent 62, India managed to claw back slightly with regular wickets. Bumrah removed Rachin Ravindra, while Glenn Phillips’ promising knock ended at 24, caught brilliantly by Rinku Singh, who enjoyed an outstanding day in the field with four catches.
Daryl Mitchell provided the final surge with an 18-ball 39, ensuring New Zealand crossed the 200-run mark. Despite India’s attempts to mix up pace at the death, the flat pitch offered little assistance to the bowlers.
New Zealand finished on 215 for 7, their second-highest T20I total against India.
Bowling Seals All-round New Zealand Consolation Win
New Zealand’s bowlers complemented the batting effort with a controlled display. Mitchell Santner led the attack with figures of 3 for 26, while Jacob Duffy chipped in with two wickets. The bowling unit maintained pressure despite the dew and flat conditions, ensuring India never truly threatened the target.
This all-round New Zealand consolation win not only gave the visitors something to take away from the series but also highlighted their depth in both batting and bowling.
Brief Scores
New Zealand 215/7 (20 overs)
Tim Seifert 62, Devon Conway 44
Arshdeep Singh 2-33, Kuldeep Yadav 2-39
India 165 all out (18.4 overs)
Shivam Dube 65, Rinku Singh 39
Mitchell Santner 3-26, Jacob Duffy 2-33
New Zealand won by 50 runs
