Can New Zealand find their first win as India aims for a series clean sweep?
Synopsis
As India and New Zealand prepare for the fourth T20I in Visakhapatnam, the stakes are high despite India leading the series 3-0. Will New Zealand manage to turn the tide and secure a win, or will India achieve a clean sweep? Catch all the action and insights as both teams battle on the field.
Key Takeaways
India leads the T20I series 3-0.
New Zealand aims to salvage pride in the fourth match.
Jasprit Bumrah was instrumental in India's previous victory.
Abhishek Sharma showcased explosive batting in the last game.
Match scheduled for January 28 at ACA-VDCA Stadium.
Visakhapatnam, Jan 27 (NationPress) As India and New Zealand converge on this coastal city in Andhra Pradesh for the fourth T20I, the series may be settled, but the stakes remain high. The hosts are eager to achieve a clean sweep at the Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium, while the visitors are determined to reclaim some honor.
With a commanding 3–0 lead, India has showcased their strength throughout the series and views this match as a crucial chance to refine their strategies before the T20 World Cup. On the other hand, New Zealand is keen on delivering a stronger performance after being thoroughly outplayed in the last game.
In the third T20I, the BlackCaps struggled to establish a foothold after losing early wickets. This setback forced their middle order to focus on rebuilding rather than pushing for quick runs. Glenn Phillips displayed resilience with a solid innings, while Mark Chapman and captain Mitchell Santner contributed valuable runs. However, the absence of enduring partnerships restricted New Zealand to a modest score.
India’s bowlers, spearheaded by the impressive Jasprit Bumrah, were relentless. Bumrah returned to form in his second appearance of the series, dismantling New Zealand’s batting lineup with remarkable figures of 3-17.
With his pace, swing variations, and the evening dew in Vizag, Bumrah is likely to add to his wicket tally. He received excellent support from Ravi Bishnoi, Hardik Pandya, and Harshit Rana, ensuring the visitors fell short of a competitive total.
Despite a shaky start, India's chase was dominant. Abhishek Sharma's aggressive strategy took control early on, and with Suryakumar Yadav maintaining his exceptional form, India achieved the target with ease.
Sharma electrified the crowd once more, smashing an unbeaten 68 off just 20 balls, which included seven boundaries and five massive sixes with a jaw-dropping strike rate of 340. His half-century came in just 14 balls, marking the second-fastest T20I fifty for India.
Wednesday's match will mark the fifth men’s T20I held at the ACA-VDCA Stadium, which last hosted a men’s T20I in November 2023 when India secured a thrilling two-wicket victory over Australia.
With history, momentum, and confidence in their favor, India aims for another commanding performance, while New Zealand hopes Visakhapatnam offers them a chance to rewrite the narrative before the final match of the series in Thiruvananthapuram on January 31. A victory would significantly boost their morale ahead of the T20 World Cup.
When: Wednesday, Jan 28, 7:00 PM IST
Where: ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam
Where to watch: Star Sports Network for live TV broadcast and JioHotstar for live streaming
Squads:
India: Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (VC), Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Ravi Bishnoi
New Zealand: Mitchell Santner (capt), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway (wk), Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Bevon Jacobs, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Robinson, Ish Sodhi
Point of View
This T20I series has highlighted India's current dominance in the cricketing arena, with a determined New Zealand side striving to reclaim their competitive edge. As the series progresses, the focus remains on performance improvement for the visitors, while India looks to maintain their winning momentum.
NationPress
2 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the fourth T20I match between India and New Zealand?
The fourth T20I match is scheduled for Wednesday, January 28, at 7:00 PM IST.
Where will the match take place?
The match will be held at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam.
What is the current status of the T20I series?
India currently leads the series 3-0.
Where can I watch the match live?
You can watch the live broadcast on Star Sports Network and stream it on JioHotstar.
Who are the captains of both teams?
Suryakumar Yadav is the captain of India, while Mitchell Santner leads New Zealand.
