Fine spells from skipper Mitchell Santner, pacer Jacob Duffy and spinner Ish Sodhi helped New Zealand survive a scare from Shivam Dube, who cracked a 15-ball fifty, as India was skittled out for 165, losing by 50 runs in the fourth T20I at Visakhapatnam on Wednesday.
With this consolation win for NZ, India cannot pull off a whitewash, as the series is 3-1 in favour of India with a game to go. Earlier, putting the Kiwis in to field first, the Indian bowling conceded too many runs against the openers Tim Seifert (62) and Devon Conway (44), who put on a century partnership. While Arshdeep Singh (2/33) and Kuldeep Yadav (2/35) put the brakes, Daryl Mitchell (39*) played a cameo to take NZ to 215/7. India kept losing wickets regularly, but Shivam’s 23-ball 63 gave Team India some hope. After his dismissal, India was bundled out for 165 in 18.4 overs.
In the run-chase of 216 runs, India started off the match on a horrid note, as Abhishek Sharma skied one in the air, giving Devon Conway a fine diving catch. It was second golden duck of the series for Abhishek which also produced two stunning fifties.
Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav, having rediscovered his form, tried taking the charge with two boundaries, but Zak Foulkes caught and bowled him for just eight in eight balls before SKY could take off. India was 9/2 in two overs.
The pair of Rinku Singh and Sanju Samson had the left-right combination to offer. Samson immediately put Henry on pressure on Henry with two boundaries. In the next over, Rinku collected two successive sixes against Foulkes, one a flat-batted hit over his head and the other a fierce cut over deep backward point.
The duo continued to build some momentum for Men in Blue, with Rinku collecting a four and Samson launching him for a six over deep mid-wicket, bringing the 50-run mark for India in 5.5 overs and ending the powerplay at 51/2 in six overs.
Samson left his stumps exposed again, failing to capitalise on a fine start. Kiwi skipper Mitchell Santner got him for 24 in 15 balls, with three fours and a six. India was 55/3 in 6.4 overs.
Hardik Pandya’s clutch game could not come into the equation either as Santner got his wicket for just two while the all-rounder wanted to carve a boundary through covers, India was 63/4 in 8.4 overs.
Shivam Dube started off on an attacking note with a six each against Santner and Glenn Phillips.
