India complete record T20I chase to beat New Zealand in Christchurch

India defeated New Zealand in the first T20 International at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on October 22, 2026, completing what the report describes as their highest T20I chase after New Zealand posted 225/4.

India won the match after New Zealand batted first at Hagley Oval; the visitors’ 225/4 came after an aggressive innings anchored by Glenn Phillips. New Zealand’s innings began with a 49-run opening partnership, with Finn Allen making 45 off 24 and Tim Seifert contributing 24 off 17. Daryl Mitchell added 28 off 19 and Bevon Jacobs produced a quick 31 off 16 before Phillips finished unbeaten on 82 off 40.

India’s reply started explosively with a 93-run opening stand inside 5.5 overs, powered by Abhishek Sharma’s 29 off 12 and Sanju Samson’s 67 off 33, a 23-ball fifty. The visitors then lost three wickets for seven runs, but Shreyas Iyer’s 42 off 28 and Axar Patel’s 24 off 14 steadied the chase. The middle-order contributions halted the collapse and kept the required run rate manageable.

Naman Dhir produced the decisive cameo, remaining unbeaten on 42 off 15 balls with five fours and two sixes to take India over the line. Glenn Phillips finished as the match’s top scorer with 82, followed by Samson on 67 and Finn Allen on 45. Dhir and Shreyas Iyer each ended the game with 42 runs.

On the bowling front, Michael Bracewell and Mitchell Santner claimed two wickets apiece, with Bracewell listed ahead on the wicket-takers table due to a better economy rate. Mayank Yadav, Arshdeep Singh and Lockie Ferguson took one wicket each in the fixture.

India have had a fantastic start to their New Zealand tour after the first T20I at Hagley Oval produced a high-scoring thriller between the two sides.