India vs New Zealand 1st T20I, Highlights: Samson, Iyer, Naman Dhir power IND to historic victory in record chase

Naman Dhir played a gem of a knock right at the end, as he slammed 42 runs from 15 balls, and ensured that India did not stutter at the end. The Men in Blue thus chased down 226 with two balls remaining. This is now the highest successful run chase for India in T20I history, surpassing the 211 that they chased down vs Sri Lanka way back in 2009.

Shreyas Iyer was looking pretty good alongside Naman Dhir, as he was nearing a half-century and guiding India to a big win. However, Adam Milne had other plans, as with just two overs to go, he dimsissed Iyer. Naman Dhir is looking good and timing the ball well, as he now holds the key if the Men in Blue aim to pull off this run chase of 226.

With Shreyas Iyer feeling the heat at one end of the crease, someone needed to step up at the other end as well. Naman Dhir has done exactly that, as he hit a boundary and a six off the best bowler of the night, Mitchell Santner, as the required run rate now falls below 10 in the final three overs of the match.

Axar Patel and Shreyas Iyer were going pretty well as they were nearing a fifty run partnership. However, it was Lockie Ferguson who struck for New Zealand, Axar was removed after scoring 24 runs. With just two more known batters coming in, the onus ndefinitely falls on Shreyas Iyer as he would look to navigate the back end of the run chase for India.

After 6 overs, India were 94/1. Now they are 146/4 after 13 overs, meaning the last 42 balls have yielded just 52 runs. That’s what a cluster of wickets can do to a seemingly cruising chase. However, Axar Patel and Shreyas Iyer are bringing in their experience into play as they are building a steady partnership after this collapse.

India have sufferred a batting collapse after getting off to a rollicking start. The introduction of spin has worked magic for New Zealand with Michael Bracewell and Mitchell Santner absolutely spinning a web around them. Santner now takes his second wicket, as the in-form Ishan Kishan departs cheaply. The onus now falls upon the experienced duo of captain Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel in the middle.

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner has turned the game around with a pretty neat over, where he gave away just three runs. However, the biggest blow in the over came when he picked up the wicket of Sanju Samson. In the very next over, New Zealand struck again, as Michael Bracewell took the wicket of Tilak Varma, who clearly struggled in his short stay at the crease. The decision to bring in Tilak and Shreyas Iyer before Ishan Kishan is also sure to raise some eyebrows.

Sanju Samson has continued the good form that he showed in the T20I series vs West Indies, right into the first T20I against New Zealand. Chasing 226 to win, Samson took charge of scoring the runs, as he hit a 23-ball half-century. In a rare reversal of roles, it was Abhishek Sharma who played second fiddle to him, before getting out. India smashed 24 runs in the powerplay. Samson now needs to continue the same momentum and build a partnership with Tilak Varma.

New Zealand can finally breathe a sigh of relief after Abhishek Sharma. The introduction of spin did the trick for the Kiwis, as the destructive left-hander departs after scoring 29 from 12 balls. Together with Sanju Samson, Abhishek stitched a 93-run opening stand to give India a massive advantage early in the run chase.

Both Lockie Ferguson and Adam Milne guilty of providing a lot of pace on the ball, almost at 140kph. Samson and Abhishek are basically helping themselves to those big shots. They already going at 17 runs an over, well above the required run rate.

Lockie Ferguson comes into the attack, but Sanju Samson continues to take the same route. He smashes a four over cover, follows it up with a SIX over cow corner and then clears the infield over long-off for another boundary. It gets worse for New Zealand as Ferguson also concedes five wides. IND 42/0 in 3 overs

Adam Milne takes over from the other end, but Sanju Samson continues to find the boundaries. He goes aerial on the second ball, driving it straight down the ground for four, before picking up another boundary through fine leg. India collect nine runs from the over to move to 20/0 after two overs.

After a couple of dot balls, Sanju Samson gets India moving with a boundary. Matt Henry responds with a beauty that nearly gets the better of the Indian opener, but Abhishek Sharma finishes the over on a high, going aerial for a six. IND 11/0 in 1 over

Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson are in the middle to start the tricky chase for India. Matt Henry has the ball in hand to start the proceedings in this innings.

Update from Somshuvra Laha: Despite a decent over from Bhuvneshwar, New Zealand added 67 runs in the last five overs to reach 225/4, also their highest T20I score at home. It is also their joint highest T20I score against India

Bhuvneshwar Kumar takes charge of the final over, but Glenn Phillips finishes the innings with a boundary off the last ball. New Zealand add 14 runs in the over to post their highest-ever T20I total at home, setting India a daunting target to chase. NZ 225/4 in 20 overs

Glenn Phillips continues to find the boundary with ease, taking on Nitish Kumar Reddy in another expensive over. New Zealand collect 12 runs, moving past the 200-run mark as Phillips keeps the pressure firmly on India’s bowlers.

A brilliant piece of presence of mind from Arshdeep Singh as Bevon Jacobs is run out for 31 off 16 balls! Glenn Phillips jams a yorker onto his feet and Jacobs calls for a quick single, but Arshdeep gets across, kicks the ball onto the stumps and catches the batter short despite a desperate dive. The decision goes upstairs for a check, but Jacobs is clearly out of his ground. A crucial breakthrough for India just as New Zealand looked to accelerate further.

Mayank Yadav returns to the attack, but Glenn Phillips welcomes him with a six off the first ball to bring up a powerful half-century. Bevon Jacobs joins the assault with a maximum of his own, while Phillips finishes the over with another boundary, using his brute strength to find the ropes. New Zealand continue to pile on the runs.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar returns to his mark after a check on his wrist but is greeted with a six off the very next ball. It turns into another expensive over for India, with New Zealand closing in on the 200-run mark and looking well placed to cross the total comfortably.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar takes a blow to the wrist and needs attention from the physio, who is out in the middle to assess him.

Glenn Phillips is on a roll here, hammering Axar Patel for three consecutive boundaries to finish the over in style. New Zealand’s scoring rate remains well above 10 runs per over, leaving India with a tough task to contain the late charge.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar holds on to a tricky, high catch to give India a crucial breakthrough. Arshdeep Singh strikes on his return to the attack, sending Daryl Mitchell back for 28 off 19 balls.

Glenn Phillips gets down on one knee and sweeps Nitish Kumar Reddy over the ropes for a massive six! He reads the slower delivery early and executes the shot to perfection. New Zealand collect 12 runs from the over as Phillips looks to shift gears.

Abhishek Sharma puts down a straightforward chance in the deep, handing Daryl Mitchell a costly lifeline. It should have been a regulation catch, but India let the opportunity slip. Mitchell makes them pay, smashing back-to-back boundaries later in the over to push New Zealand to 110/2 after 11 overs.