New Zealand beat India by 50 runs in 4th T20I at Visakhapatnam; series stands 3-1
New Zealand posted 215/7 and bowled India out for 165 to win the 4th T20I in Visakhapatnam on January 28, 2026. Shivam Dube’s rapid 65 off 23 kept the chase alive briefly, but New Zealand’s bowlers closed out a convincing 50-run win.
Match summary
New Zealand produced a complete performance to beat India by 50 runs in the fourth T20I of the tour at Visakhapatnam on January 28, 2026. Batting first, New Zealand scored 215/7, setting India a target of 216. India were eventually bowled out for 165 in 18.4 overs, with New Zealand keeping the contest largely under control after early strikes.
The result narrows the five-match series to 3-1, giving the visitors a morale-boosting win late in the tour. The match also served as a reminder of how quickly T20 contests can swing when powerplay momentum is converted into a steep target and the chasing side loses wickets in clusters.
How New Zealand got to 215
New Zealand’s innings was built around a fast start and then a strong finish. Tim Seifert top-scored with 62, while Devon Conway added 44 during the early surge that pushed the total beyond 100 inside the first half of the innings. Although India managed a middle-overs pullback, late hitting ensured New Zealand crossed 200 and forced a high-risk chase.
India’s wicket-taking was shared, with bowlers finding success once the ball softened, but the damage from the opening acceleration and death-overs momentum meant the hosts needed both a stable start and sustained boundary-hitting to stay in the game.
India’s chase: Dube’s blitz in a losing cause
India’s chase never fully settled after losing early wickets, and the required run rate climbed quickly. Shivam Dube produced a spectacular counterattack, smashing 65 off just 23 balls, including seven sixes, briefly raising hopes of an unlikely comeback. However, once Dube fell, the remaining chase became too steep and India were bowled out short of the target.
For New Zealand, the bowling effort was notable for consistent pressure and timely breakthroughs. Their attack kept forcing high-risk shots, and the fielding held up in key moments, ensuring Dube’s assault did not turn into a decisive momentum shift.
What this means
With the series now at 3-1, both sides will view the final match as important: India for tightening combinations ahead of bigger assignments, and New Zealand for attempting to finish strongly and carry confidence forward. The fourth T20I underlined that even when a series is tilted, a single near-perfect game plan can reset narratives quickly.