New Zealand's Bevon Jacobs announced himself on the international stage with a stunning 96-metre six off the very first ball he faced, contributing a breezy 31 off 16 balls as the hosts posted 225/4 in 20 overs against India in the first T20I at Hagley Oval, Christchurch on Thursday, 22 October 2026. The total is New Zealand's highest T20I score at the venue and their joint best ever against India in the shortest format.

Jacobs' Explosive Entry

Jacobs walked to the crease after Daryl Mitchell's dismissal in the 13th over, and immediately set the tone by launching Arshdeep Singh over the ropes for a towering six. He went on to strike three sixes in his knock at a strike-rate of 193.75 before being run out when Arshdeep kicked the ball onto the stumps at the non-striker's end.

'I mean absolutely. It was pretty cool to get out there and get started like that and continue on what the boys at the top left on the table, so that was pretty cool,' Jacobs told broadcasters at the innings break.

The Phillips Partnership

Jacobs stitched a vital 73-run stand off just 32 balls for the fourth wicket alongside Glenn Phillips, who remained unbeaten on an authoritative 82 off 40 balls. Jacobs credited the experienced Phillips for helping him keep his composure while going after the bowling.

'Look, I think I was obviously surrounded by a lot of experience there with GP going off as well and keeping my head on straight, and I think just the way I tried to make sure I could keep counter-attacking and build off what the boys had started on with that platform,' Jacobs said.

Platform Set by the Openers

The foundation for New Zealand's imposing total was laid by openers Finn Allen and Tim Seifert, who put on 65 runs during the powerplay. Jacobs acknowledged that Bhuvneshwar Kumar extracted some early swing but noted that the pitch became truer as the innings progressed.

'Look, obviously I think with the new ball it's always going to offer something a little bit more. There was a bit of swing and a little bit off the surface, but obviously as the ball got older I think it became quite a true surface, and the boys really made that count and obviously we got a good total on the board,' he said.

New Zealand Eye a Successful Defence

With 225/4 on the board — New Zealand's highest T20I total at Hagley Oval and their joint highest against India in the format — Jacobs expressed confidence in the team's bowling plans. 'Absolutely. We know what to expect from the wicket and obviously the bowlers are going to have a good plan of attack to go about this next innings,' he said. This is the opening game of what promises to be a highly competitive T20I series, with India needing a record chase to take an early lead.