India vs New Zealand 4th T20: New Zealand produced a commanding all-round performance to defeat India by 50 runs in the India vs New Zealand 4th T20, delivering a strong comeback in the five-match T20 International series. Chasing a challenging target of 216 runs, India were bowled out for 165 in 18.4 overs, despite a blistering counterattack from Shivam Dube, who smashed a sensational 65 off just 23 balls.
The win helped New Zealand reduce the series deficit to 3–1, keeping their hopes alive ahead of the final match scheduled to be played in Thiruvananthapuram on January 31.
Match Summary-India vs New Zealand 4th T20
| Match | India vs New Zealand, 4th T20I |
|---|---|
| Venue | Visakhapatnam |
| Result | New Zealand won by 50 runs |
| New Zealand Score | 215/7 (20 overs) |
| India Score | 165 all out (18.4 overs) |
| Player of the Match | Mitchell Santner |
New Zealand Set the Tone with a Powerful Batting Display
After losing the toss and being asked to bat first, New Zealand made full use of the batting-friendly surface at Visakhapatnam. Openers Tim Seifert and Devon Conway gave the visitors a flying start, putting India under pressure from the very first over.
Seifert, in particular, was in destructive form. He played fearless cricket, taking on both pace and spin with equal confidence. His aggressive intent ensured New Zealand raced through the powerplay without losing a wicket, setting the foundation for a big total.
Key Batting Performers – New Zealand
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tim Seifert | 62 | 25 | 5 | 4 |
| Devon Conway | 44 | 32 | 4 | 1 |
| Glenn Phillips | 24 | 16 | 2 | 1 |
| Daryl Mitchell | 18* | 9 | 1 | 1 |
Seifert reached his half-century in just 25 balls, one of the fastest in the series. His partnership with Conway crossed 100 runs, effectively neutralizing India’s new-ball bowlers.
Indian Bowlers Struggle on a High-Scoring Pitch
India’s bowling attack found little assistance early on. The pitch offered true bounce and pace, allowing the New Zealand batters to play through the line comfortably. Despite some resistance in the middle overs, the Indian bowlers struggled to contain the scoring.
Kuldeep Yadav and Arshdeep Singh were the standout performers, each picking up two wickets, but the damage had already been done during the powerplay and early middle overs.
Indian Bowling Figures
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kuldeep Yadav | 4 | 32 | 2 |
| Arshdeep Singh | 4 | 39 | 2 |
| Jasprit Bumrah | 4 | 45 | 1 |
| Ravi Bishnoi | 4 | 36 | 1 |
Innings Break!
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 28, 2026
A target of 2⃣1⃣6⃣ runs in Vizag for #TeamIndia 🎯
Chase on the other side ⏳
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/GVkrQKKyd6 #INDvNZ | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/4o0jnVFbFT
New Zealand crossed the 200-run mark in the final over and finished with an imposing total of 215/7, one of their highest T20 scores against India.
India’s Chase Falters After Early Collapse
The chase began in disastrous fashion for India. The home side lost wickets early, putting immediate pressure on the middle order. The required run rate climbed rapidly, forcing batters to take risks against a disciplined New Zealand bowling attack.
India lost Abhishek Sharma on the very first ball, followed soon after by captain Suryakumar Yadav, leaving the hosts reeling inside the powerplay.
India Powerplay Summary
| Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|
| 6 Overs | 53 | 2 |
Although Sanju Samson and Rinku Singh attempted to rebuild the innings, New Zealand’s bowlers kept striking at regular intervals, preventing any meaningful partnerships.
Shivam Dube’s Explosive Knock Lights Up the Match
Amid the collapse, Shivam Dube delivered one of the most explosive innings of the series. Walking in with the game slipping away, Dube launched a breathtaking counterattack that briefly reignited India’s hopes.
He smashed 65 runs off just 23 deliveries, including multiple sixes that sailed deep into the stands. Dube reached his half-century in just 15 balls, making it one of the fastest fifties by an Indian batter in T20 internationals.
Fastest T20I Fifties by Indians
| Player | Balls |
|---|---|
| Yuvraj Singh | 12 |
| Abhishek Sharma | 14 |
| Shivam Dube | 15 |
Dube also scored 29 runs in a single over, completely changing the momentum for a brief period. However, his run-out proved to be the turning point, after which India’s innings collapsed rapidly.
New Zealand Bowlers Seal the Game
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner led from the front with a superb bowling performance. Mixing flight, pace, and accuracy, Santner dismantled India’s middle and lower order.
New Zealand Bowling Figures
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mitchell Santner | 4 | 28 | 4 |
| Jacob Duffy | 3.4 | 31 | 2 |
| Ish Sodhi | 4 | 35 | 2 |
| Matt Henry | 4 | 34 | 1 |
Santner’s four-wicket haul ensured India never truly recovered after losing key batters. India were eventually bowled out for 165, handing New Zealand a comprehensive 50-run victory.
Playing XI – India vs New Zealand 4th T20
India
| Players |
|---|
| Suryakumar Yadav (Captain) |
| Abhishek Sharma |
| Sanju Samson (Wicketkeeper) |
| Hardik Pandya |
| Shivam Dube |
| Rinku Singh |
| Harshit Rana |
| Ravi Bishnoi |
| Kuldeep Yadav |
| Jasprit Bumrah |
| Arshdeep Singh |
New Zealand
| Players |
|---|
| Mitchell Santner (Captain) |
| Devon Conway |
| Tim Seifert (Wicketkeeper) |
| Rachin Ravindra |
| Glenn Phillips |
| Daryl Mitchell |
| Mark Chapman |
| Jack Foulkes |
| Jacob Duffy |
| Ish Sodhi |
| Matt Henry |
Pitch Report: Visakhapatnam Proves Batting Paradise
The Visakhapatnam surface once again lived up to its reputation as a high-scoring venue. The pitch offered excellent bounce and carry, making stroke-play easier for batters. While spinners came into play later in the innings, the overall conditions heavily favored aggressive batting.
Historically, teams chasing have enjoyed success at this ground due to dew in the evening, but New Zealand’s total proved too steep even under favorable chasing conditions.
Series Situation After India vs New Zealand 4th T20
| Team | Matches | Wins | Losses |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | 4 | 3 | 1 |
| New Zealand | 4 | 1 | 3 |
Despite the defeat, India still lead the series 3–1, but New Zealand’s dominant performance has added intrigue ahead of the final match.
Read also: Stadium in Visakhapatnam Pitch Report: Complete Guide for Matches, Records, and Playing Conditions
What This Result Means Going Forward
The India vs New Zealand 4th T20 highlighted both teams’ strengths and weaknesses. For India, the top-order collapse and inconsistency remain concerns, while New Zealand will take confidence from their batting depth and disciplined bowling.
With the T20 World Cup 2026 on the horizon, performances like Shivam Dube’s explosive innings and Mitchell Santner’s leadership will be closely analyzed by selectors and fans alike.
The stage is now set for an exciting final encounter, where India will look to finish the series strongly, while New Zealand aim to end on a high.