India chase record 226 in T20I, beat New Zealand by 4 wickets in Christchurch
Synopsis
India rewrote their T20I record books at Christchurch, chasing down 226 with four wickets to spare — their highest-ever successful run chase. Samson's 33-ball 67 set the tone, but it was Dhir's extraordinary 42 off 15 balls that finished the job, sealing a 1-0 series lead and making India the team with the most sixes in T20Is in a single calendar year.
Key Takeaways
India registered their highest-ever T20I run chase, overhauling 226 to beat New Zealand by four wickets at Hagley Oval, Christchurch on 22 October .
Sanju Samson smashed 67 off 33 balls (8 fours, 4 sixes) before being bowled by Santner in the ninth over.
Naman Dhir finished unbeaten on 42 off 15 balls , sealing the win with a six off the penultimate ball of the 20th over.
Samson's six off Henry was India's 350th T20I maximum of the calendar year — the most by any team in a single calendar year.
Abhishek Sharma hit his record seventh first-ball six in T20I cricket during the chase.
Glenn Phillips top-scored for New Zealand with an unbeaten 82 off 40 balls ; India lead the five-match series 1-0 .
India pulled off their highest-ever successful run chase in T20 Internationals on 22 October, hunting down 226 to beat New Zealand by four wickets at a sold-out Hagley Oval in Christchurch. Sanju Samson blazed a 33-ball 67 and Naman Dhir finished unbeaten on 42 off just 15 balls to hand India a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
India's Record-Breaking Chase
India's innings began under pressure when Matt Henry beat Samson off the very first ball. But Abhishek Sharma responded by launching the last delivery of the over for six — his record seventh first-ball six in T20I cricket. Lockie Ferguson's erratic opening over, littered with wides, gifted India 22 runs.
Adam Milne fared no better in his second over, conceding two edged fours and two sixes in a 26-run over to Abhishek. Samson's six off Henry — sailing over mid-on — became India's 350th maximum in T20Is this calendar year, the most by any team in a single calendar year. Samson reached his fifty off just 23 balls with a six and a four off Michael Bracewell, with India closing the powerplay at a commanding 94/1.
Middle-Order Wobble and India's Fight-Back
Mitchell Santner turned the tide temporarily by castling Samson with an under-edge in the ninth over, ending a knock of eight fours and four sixes. Tilak Varma, promoted to number three, could only manage 6 off 11 balls before holing out off Bracewell, and Ishan Kishan fell to Santner for just 1, leaving India wobbling at 122/4.
Axar Patel broke a 22-ball boundary drought before Ferguson had him caught at short mid-wicket for 24 off 14 balls. With 48 needed off 24 balls, the asking rate appeared steep — but Dhir and captain Iyer had other ideas. Santner, returning after a nasty fall in the field, was taken for 19 runs in his comeback over, with Dhir plundering a six and a four.
Dhir Seals It in Style
Needing eight from the final over — with New Zealand also penalised for a slow over-rate — Dhir drove a full toss from Henry for four, then sealed the win by top-edging a short ball over the keeper for six. Iyer had been caught off Milne for a 28-ball 42 at the start of the 19th over, but Dhir's composure ensured India crossed the line in 19.4 overs.
New Zealand's Batting Highlight
New Zealand's total of 225/4 was built primarily on Glenn Phillips' stunning 82 not out off 40 balls, supported by Finn Allen's 45. Mayank Yadav and Arshdeep Singh took one wicket apiece for 40 and 45 runs respectively. Despite their batting firepower, New Zealand were ultimately undone by costly extras and erratic powerplay bowling that allowed India to set a gallop early on.
What's Next
The second T20I of the five-match series will be played in Christchurch on Saturday. India will look to consolidate their advantage while New Zealand need to tighten their powerplay execution to stay in the contest.
Brief Scores: New Zealand 225/4 in 20 overs (Glenn Phillips 82 not out, Finn Allen 45; Mayank Yadav 1-40, Arshdeep Singh 1-45) lost to India 230/6 in 19.4 overs (Sanju Samson 67, Naman Dhir 42 not out; Michael Bracewell 2-37, Mitchell Santner 2-39) by four wickets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is India's highest successful T20I run chase?
India's highest successful T20I run chase is 226 , achieved against New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on 22 October 2026. India won the match by four wickets in 19.4 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
How did Sanju Samson perform in the 1st T20I against New Zealand?
Sanju Samson scored a brilliant 67 off 33 balls , hitting eight fours and four sixes, before being bowled by Mitchell Santner in the ninth over. His knock set the foundation for India's record chase.
Who is Naman Dhir and what did he do in the match?
Naman Dhir is an Indian T20I batter who finished unbeaten on 42 off just 15 balls in the first T20I against New Zealand. He hit the winning runs — a top-edged six over the keeper off Matt Henry — to seal India's four-wicket victory.
What record did India set for sixes in T20Is this year?
India became the team with the most sixes in T20I cricket in a single calendar year, reaching 350 maximums when Sanju Samson hit a six off Matt Henry during the Christchurch chase. No other team has cleared that landmark in one calendar year.
When is the 2nd T20I between India and New Zealand?
The second T20I of the five-match series is scheduled for Saturday in Christchurch . India lead the series 1-0 after their record chase in the first game at Hagley Oval.
