India opened their New Zealand tour with a four-wicket victory in a high-scoring first T20I at Hagley Oval, Christchurch. New Zealand posted 225/4, but India reached 230/6 in 19.4 overs through Sanju Samson's rapid 67 and Naman Dhir's unbeaten 42.
New Zealand vs India first T20I result
New Zealand: 225/4 in 20 overs.
India: 230/6 in 19.4 overs.
Result: India won by four wickets with two balls remaining.
Series: India lead the five-match series 1-0.
Player of the Match: Sanju Samson for 67 from 33 balls.
Phillips powers New Zealand to 225
Finn Allen gave New Zealand early momentum with 45 from 24 balls before Glenn Phillips controlled the second half of the innings. Phillips finished unbeaten on 82 from 40 deliveries.
Daryl Mitchell made 28 and Bevon Jacobs added 31 from 16 balls. Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav and Axar Patel claimed one wicket each, while Jacobs was run out.
Samson leads India's powerplay charge
Sanju Samson drove the chase with 67 from 33 balls, striking eight fours and four sixes. Abhishek Sharma added 29 from 12 as India raced to 93 before the opening stand ended.
Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell took two wickets apiece as New Zealand reduced India from 115/1 to 122/4.
Shreyas and Axar rebuild
Captain Shreyas Iyer steadied India with 42, while Axar Patel's 24 from 14 balls kept the asking rate within reach. Lockie Ferguson removed Axar and Adam Milne dismissed Shreyas to leave India six wickets down.
Naman Dhir finishes the chase
Naman Dhir produced the decisive late assault, finishing unbeaten on 42 from 15 balls. Nitish Kumar Reddy stayed with him as India completed the chase with two balls to spare.
Key performances
- Sanju Samson: 67 from 33 balls and Player of the Match.
- Naman Dhir: 42 not out from 15 balls.
- Shreyas Iyer: 42 from 28 balls.
- Glenn Phillips: 82 not out from 40 balls.
- Finn Allen: 45 from 24 balls.
Sources
- BCCI Match Centre: New Zealand vs India, first T20I
- ICC Match Centre: New Zealand vs India
- Cricbuzz: first T20I match centre
Final scores and batting figures were checked against the cited match centres and live score coverage on 22 October 2026.