New Zealand vs India, IND in NZ, 5 T20Is, 2026 Oct 24 Full score card

INDIA WIN BY 4 WICKETS! Full toss, on the pads, Nitish Kumar Reddy flicks this to the right of the deep mid-wicket fielder and comes back for the second to win the game for India. The reigning champions show once again why they are the team to beat in this format! The Indian players are absolutely pumped, and rightly so. This was no easy ride, but they dug deep, weathered the pressure and fought their way to a hard-earned victory.

WIDE! Bumper, a touch too high on the batter. Nitish Kumar Reddy looks for the uppercut but misses. Wide given.

Short and on middle and off, Tilak Varma cuts this to deep point and rotates the strike. 3 required off 2.

FIFTY FOR TILAK VARMA! He is playing at a strike rate of 200. Short and on middle and off, Tilak Varma flat-bats it to long on and pushes his partner through for the second run. The throw lacks the desired power and Varma gets home with the dive. Tilak, along with Nitish, has turned this game around for India.

FOUR! Tilak races to 48 and puts India within one big hit away from the win now. Pitched-up delivery, around off, Tilak Varma drills this in the gap between the mid off and extra cover fielders for four more runs. 6 needed off 4.

Short and on middle and leg, Nitish Kumar Reddy pulls this to the deep mid-wicket fielder for one run.

Right, India require 11 runs off the last 6 balls. Jacob Duffy to bowl the final over. New Zealand have been penalised for a slow over rate. They will be allowed only 4 fielders outside the 30-yard circle for the final over.

SIX! An ideal finish to the 19th over for India, 18 off it! Good length, wide of off, Tilak Varma stays leg side and smashes this up and over the fence towards the deep cover region for a massive six. What a knock Tilak is playing for the visitors.

Full and wide of off, Tilak Varma backs away to slice it over the point fielder but misses out completely.

New Zealand are behind on the over rate and will most likely be required to have an extra fielder inside the circle for the final over.

FOUR! That has been hooked away for four more. Short and on middle and leg, Tilak Varma gets inside the line of the ball and hooks it towards the fine leg fence for a boundary. The 50-run stand comes up between these two batters, and the momentum has shifted towards India and how.

Good length, wide of off, Tilak Varma swings and misses. Expects a wide but it is called a fair one.

FOUR! That's what pressure does, even to the best in the business. Good length, wide of off, Tilak Varma pulls this flat towards the right of Glenn Phillips at mid-wicket for a boundary. The ball should have been stopped by Glenn, but he overran it and the ball went under him to the fence.

FOUR! Even the edges are finding their way to the fence for India now. Yorker, around leg, Tilak Varma shuffles across the stumps and looks for a paddle scoop but gets a top edge, and the ball flies over the short third fielder for a boundary behind the stumps.

Nathan Smith has been given the task of bowling the 19th over. This is the game right here, with India needing 29 runs from 12 balls.

Back of a length, around middle and leg, Tilak Varma pulls this to the deep mid-wicket fielder for one run. 17 from the over, 29 needed off 12 balls.

FOUR! Low full toss, on off, Tilak Varma settles deep inside the crease and smashes this past the right of the diving mid off fielder for yet another boundary. Excellent timing and placement by Tilak Varma. India go past 150.

Wide yorker, just inside the tramline outside off, Tilak Varma swings and misses. A rare dot in this partnership.

WIDE! Full and way too wide of off, Tilak Varma shuffles across the stumps and leaves it. Wided.

FOUR! Tilak Varma finds the fence this time. Good length, wide of off, Tilak shuffles across the stumps and pulls this in the gap towards the cow corner region for a boundary.

Short and on off, Nitish Kumar Reddy pulls this flat towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

SIX! 93-metre long hit by Reddy. Slower one, full and on off, Nitish Kumar Reddy gets right behind the line of the ball and smashes it deep into the crowd towards the long off region for a massive six. Perfect start to the 18th over for India.

Jacob Duffy comes back on, replacing Nathan Smith. 2-0-13-1 so far for Duffy.

On a length, around off, Varma nudges this through mid-wicket and collects yet another brace. 9 runs off the over, which is under par for the Men in Blue. India need 46 runs in 18 balls.

Short again, on off, Nitish Kumar Reddy pulls this towards the deep mid-wicket fielder and rotates the strike.

Short pitched, on off, Tilak Varma pulls this to deep mid-wicket for one run.

Good length, on the pads, Tilak Varma tucks this to the mid-wicket region and scampers back for two.

On a length, around middle and leg, Tilak Varma chips this in the empty space towards the deep mid-wicket region for a couple.

Back of a length, around off, Nitish Kumar Reddy dabs this to the third man region for a single. Nitish looks for the second but Tilak says no as the throw comes in quickly at the keeper's end. Tim Seifert gathers the ball on the bounce and hits the stumps on the other end with a direct hit. This is sent upstairs. Replay shows that Reddy made his ground with the dive.

Lockie Ferguson has been brought back. Ferguson has been expensive so far, conceding 28 runs in his 2 overs. Simon Doull shares that Matt Henry has been off the field for some time now. The reason is not known at the moment, so it looks like Ferguson, Smith and Duffy will have to shoulder the responsibility of closing out the innings.

Short and on off, Nitish Kumar Reddy pulls this to deep square leg and settles for a single. India need 55 runs off 24 balls.

Low full toss, on middle and off, Nitish Kumar Reddy sweeps this through the mid-wicket region for a brace.

On a length, on middle and leg, Nitish Kumar Reddy pushes this down to mid on and takes a single. A fumble by Mitchell Santner, who glides to his right from mid off allows the second here.

Slower one, short and on off, Nitish Kumar Reddy pulls this to the right of deep mid-wicket for a brace.

Good length, on the pads, Nitish Kumar Reddy tucks this through square leg for a couple of runs.

FOUR! Up and over for a boundary. Pitched-up delivery, around off, Nitish Kumar Reddy steps onto his front foot and lofts this over the mid off fielder for a boundary.

Flighted delivery, on off. Reddy drives it to long off for a single. Santner finishes with figures of 4-0-21-4, the third-best for him in T20Is, informs Ian Smith. India need 68 runs off 30 balls.

Nitish Kumar Reddy comes in at 8.

OUT! CAUGHT! The carrot was dangled, and Naman Dhir fell for the trap. This is skilful bowling by Mitchell Santner. He is not afraid to toss it up, and this is bowled at 74 kph, probably the slowest delivery of the night from the Kiwi skipper. Dhir is made to reach out for it as he hangs low and lunges across to go inside out. The ball dips on Naman, who ends up spooning it straight to extra cover, where Glenn Phillips bends and takes the catch around his right knee. Wicket number 4 for Santner as New Zealand nip the threat of Naman Dhir in the bud. 69 needed off 31 balls.

Looking to deny the left-hander any sort of room. Slanting in at the hips, on the shorter side. Varma shovels it towards deep backward square leg for a run.

Good hustle between the wickets. Pushed through at the pads, on a length. Tilak tucks it with soft hands in front of deep square leg. He takes the first run hard and comes charging back for the second run before the throw comes in from the deep.

Slightly short, in line with the off stump. Dhir cuts it past point and crosses over.

Angled in at the pads. Tilak helps it behind square leg with the angle for a single.

SIX! All the way. A bit of a drag down by Bracewell and he is made to pay for it. The ball spins back in and Dhir goes through with the shot, pulling it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a maximum. 15 runs off Michael's final over as he ends with figures of 4-0-35-0. 39 runs off the last 3 overs. 74 needed off 36 balls.

A bit of air given, fuller and on off. Varma reaches out and drives it square to deep point for one.

Skidding through, on off. Dhir cuts it square on the off side and gets to the other end. The 100 is up for India.

Loopy low full toss, on middle. Dhir powers it down the ground as one hand comes off the bat handle. Hits it to the left of long on for a couple of runs.

FOUR! One bounce and over the ropes. Darted in on a good length, on middle and leg. Dhir advances down the track and whips it away with flair despite not being to the pitch of the ball. Hits it to the left of the deep mid-wicket fielder for a four.

Full and on off. Varma knocks it to long off for a single.

SIX! Straight as an arrow. Santner is not afraid to toss it up but ends up being a little too full this time, on middle. Dhir presses forward and is able to get under the ball. Launches it over the sight screen for a maximum. Still only 8 runs off the over. 89 needed off 42.

Fractionally short, on off. Naman hops back and cuts but picks out Bevon Jacobs at backward point.

Speared in, on a length, on middle. Dhir gets down on a knee for the sweep but gets a bottom edge as the ball rolls to short fine leg. He is keen for a single before being sent back. The throw comes in quickly and Tim Seifert breaks the stumps. The third umpire is called into action and Dhir has got home safely.

Tossed up, on off. Dhir gets low and forces the drive to the right of deep cover for a couple of runs.

On off, Naman angles it to backward point off the front foot.

PUT DOWN! That should have been taken. Bevon Jacobs is not having the best of nights in the field. Earlier, he lost a ball in the lights and gave Vaibhav Sooryavanshi a reprieve, but this time, he picked it up early but could not hold on. Floated up, on off. Dhir lunges across and carves it flat and straight to backward point. Jacobs moves to his right and gets the ball around his waist but he can't cling on as the ball drops to the ground.

That is some serious heat by Lockie Ferguson. A well-directed short ball, over middle at 144 kph. Varma swivels to hook it away but is beaten for pace as the ball climbs through to the keeper.

NO BALL! Ferguson has overstepped. Full and pushed across the left-hander. Varma reaches out and slices it to the right of deep point for a couple of runs. Free Hit coming up. 13 runs off the over with a ball to go.

At the hips, Dhir turns it away to deep square leg for a run.

On off, on a good length. Dhir punches it to cover.

Digs it on a hard length, angled away. Dhir rises up on his toes and runs it down to deep third for a single.

On a good length, on off. Dhir pushes it down to long on for a single.

SIX! That is a skimmer from Dhir. Fractionally short by Lockie but the line is down leg again. Naman does not move his feet much but picks it up with the angle of the bat. Hits it flat and wide to the left of the long leg fielder for a six.

Wide! Sprayed down leg. Dhir is beaten for pace on the glance.

Looped up, on off. Dhir lunges and eases it to long off for a single.

Naman Dhir is the new batter in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Excellent teamwork by the Kiwis, who have been a lot better in the field compared to the opening game. Two wickets in 3 balls for Mitchell Santner and the New Zealand skipper is putting on a show tonight. Flatter and a bit shorter, on off. Axar gives the bowler a premeditated charge and looks to go down the ground. Skies it high back over the bowler's head. Finn Allen hugs the boundary cushions as he runs to his right from long on and keeps his eyes on the ball all the way through. He takes the catch and is aware that Daryl Mitchell is converging from long off. He lobs it towards him before going over the ropes and Mitchell does the rest.

IS THAT CLEAN??? If that's the case, then kudos to the game awareness of Finn Allen and Daryl Mitchell. WOW... Not a single person in the crowd was left seated such was the magnitude of this effort. Excellent take by Finn Allen and then the flick back to Daryl Mitchell, who backed him well too.

Glenn Phillips nearly took out Santner there. On a good length, on off. Varma pushes it to the left of the bowler and waits for the ball to go past Santner before setting off for the run. Glenn Phillips charges across to his right and slides to cut it off, getting rid of the ball quickly. Santner had to duck quickly to avoid being hit by the throw.

Tilak Varma is the next batter in.

OUT! CASTLED! Mitchell Santner dismisses his opposite number. India slip further. Nicely slowed down by Santner, bowled at 79.6 kph, hanging it up there, full and on middle. Iyer collapses his back knee and has a heave across the line. He is early into the shot, and the ball drifts in to sneak past the inside edge. It goes through the gap between the bat and the pad to crash into the sticks. India are 69/4, needing 112 runs off 57 balls.

Fired in full, on leg. Axar helps it to the left of short fine leg for one.

Speared in at the pads, on a good length. Axar is early to step out but manages to turn it away to the left of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

DRINKS BREAK! This has been an inspiring display from New Zealand so far. India have struggled to find the boundaries, and the required run rate has shot up to 11.5. There doesn't seem to be as much dew as there was the other night, which has aided New Zealand's execution, but that takes nothing away from the discipline they have shown in the first half of their bowling effort. New Zealand were also 66/3 at the halfway mark in the first innings. We have seen in T20s how quickly the tide can turn, with just a couple of big overs enough to change the complexion of the game. Let's see if the Men in Blue can find that gear and turn things around.

Darted on off, Axar Patel cuts this off his back foot through point for one run.

SIX! Axar does well as he hits with the wind and it carries the ball over the ropes. Tossed up, on middle and leg, Axar Patel collapses his back knee and slogs sweeps this over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Darted into the batter, on middle and leg, Shreyas Iyer punches this back past the bowler for a single.

Fuller on middle and off, Axar Patel looks for the sweep but gets it away from the toe of his bat and it lands behind the bowler for a single.

Quicker and flatter on middle and leg, Axar Patel punches this back to the bowler.

Tossed up, on off, Shreyas Iyer knocks this to long on for a single.

Pushed through on the pads, Axar Patel flicks this to mid-wicket. Just 2 runs and the big wicket of Abhishek Sharma. 125 needed from 66 balls.

Floated into the batter, on middle and leg, Patel tucks this to the left of the bowler.

Axar Patel walks out to bat.

OUT! CAUGHT! Abhishek Sharma falls prey to the skipper of NZ. Tossed up, on middle and leg, Abhishek Sharma connects with the slog sweep, but it's more height than distance, struck into the wind and towards the longer pocket at cow corner! Nathan Smith runs across from deep mid-wicket, keeps his eyes on the ball and completes a fine catch, all while keeping his balance inside the boundary. Santner has a smile on his face. A massive breakthrough for the Black Caps!

Tossed up, on off, Shreyas Iyer rolls this to long on for a single.

Under-cutter, on off, Iyer hits this to the left of the bowler for no run.

Tossed up, on the pads, Abhishek Sharma clips this in front of square on the leg side for a single.

Mitchell Santner brings himself on.

Fuller on middle and leg, Shreyas Iyer pushes this to the mid on fielder for no run.

Tossed up, on off, Abhishek Sharma cuts this to the left of the fielder at point for a single.

Fuller on off, Iyer punches this down the ground for a single.

Under-cutter, on middle and leg, Abhishek Sharma jumps down the track and hits this from the inner portion of his bat to long on for a single.

Quicker one, on off, Shreyas Iyer punches this away in the gap at cover off his back foot for a single.

Tossed up, around off, Abhishek Sharma drives this to sweeper cover for one run. The 50 is up for India.

WIDE PLUS ONE! Full and wide down the leg side. The keeper fails to gather it clean and the batters run a single.

Back of a length, around off, Shreyas Iyer punches this to sweeper cover for one run.

Full and on off, Abhishek Sharma pushes this down to the left of the mid off fielder for a single.

On a length, around off, Shreyas Iyer punches this through covers for a single.

Back of a length, on off, Shreyas Iyer blocks it out.

The skipper, Shreyas Iyer, is in at number 4.

OUT! CAUGHT! Nathan Smith strikes in his first over. On a length, full and wide of off, Sooryavanshi gets up on his toes and thumps this flat and towards the left of short extra cover. Daryl Mitchell dives well to his left, takes a good low catch and holds onto it as he falls on the deck. Vaibhav falls cheaply. India are 44/2, needing 137 runs from 82 balls.

On a length, around off, shaping away from the batter. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi pats this to extra cover.

That's the Powerplay done. There's not much to separate the two sides at this stage. New Zealand had 43 on the board at the end of the Powerplay, but they had lost two more wickets than India. Nathan Smith has been brought on.

Slider, on middle and leg, Abhishek Sharma stands tall and pushes this to mid on for a dot. At the end of the Powerplay, India are 44/1.

Under-cutter, onto the batter, on middle and leg, Abhishek Sharma flicks this to mid-wicket.

Pushed through around off, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi chips this from the bottom of his bat to wide long off for a single.

Short of a length, around off, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi punches this to extra cover for no run.

Tossed up, on off, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi defends this off his front foot.

WHAT HAPPENED THERE? Fuller, on off, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi slices this towards point. Bevon Jacobs loses the ball completely in the lights and is left searching as the ball goes over him for a couple. An early reprieve for the teenager. Mitchell Santner is not happy one bit.

Time for off-spin now. Michael Bracewell is called into the action with the ball.

This is on a hard length, on off. Sooryavanshi hops and rides the bounce. Taps the ball on its head as he angles it to the left of the diving short third fielder for a single to get off the mark.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is greeted with a bumper, the line is outside off. Sooryavanshi sways away and lets it go.

Out walks Sanju Samson, and in walks to a loud cheer from the crowd, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

OUT! TAKEN! Glenn Phillips nearly made a meal of that but managed to hold on and more importantly, Duffy's foot is behind the line this time. Jacob serves the back-of-the-hand slower one with the seam staying upright, on a good length, on middle. Samson has a hoick across the line but he is early into the shot, and the ball also dips on him. Skews it off a top edge towards point, where Glenn Phillips keeps his eyes on the swirling ball and completes the catch, though he ends up flat on his back! He gets up smiling, gesturing that the ball was moving around quite a bit. A safe pair of hands, if not quite a safe landing!

Into the wicket, on middle. Sharma rises up on his toes and tucks it wide of mid-wicket for one.

Leg bye. Following the batter with a fuller ball. Samson has a heave across the line but can't lay any bat on it. A leg bye is taken as the ball goes off the pads in front of point.

Around leg, on a good length. Sharma nudges it square on the leg side for a single.

Jacob Duffy comes back into the attack.

Slower one, following the batter with a length ball. Samson eases it to the right of the bowler.

A bit fuller, on off. Samson makes a bit of room and plays a punchy drive to the left of long off for a couple of runs.

That had plenty of air miles on it, but it will be just a single. Another one pushed across the off stump, on a good length. Sharma leaves nothing in the tank as he swings to go big but slices it high in the air in the direction of the bowler.  Lockie Ferguson tries to settle under it but with it being a Free Hit ball, he opts not to go for the catch and lets the ball bounce beside him.

NO BALL, FOUR! Up and over. Ferguson lands it on a good length, on middle. Sharma opens up the front hip and gets his hands through into the lofted hit. He gets it well over Mitchell Santner at mid on for a four. The siren goes off as Ferguson has overstepped. Free Hit to follow.

Dug in short, on off, that is left alone for the keeper to collect.

Skidding through, on a back of a length. Samson mistimes the pull to the right of mid on for a single.

SIX! Taken, but Mitchell Santner can't stop himself from going into the boundary cushions. Fereguon hits the top of off with a seam-up ball. Samson takes on Santner at long off as he swings through the line. Hits it flat down the ground, where Santner moves to his left and takes the catch, but he can't slam the brakes in time and the momentum results in him stepping onto the boundary cushions.

Lockie Ferguson comes into the attack.

Banged in short, outside off. Sharma lets it go. Abhishek has a look at the square leg umpire but the umpire is happy wih the height.

SIX! Incredible shot. Going away with the angle, on a length. Sharma dances down the track and stays leg side of the ball before carving it over the deep cover fence for half a dozen.

A bit fuller, on middle. Samson lofts it down the ground. Mitchell Santner runs to his right from long off and gathers it on the bounce, keeping the batters down to a single. Smiles exchanged between Henry and Samson, who were teammates in the IPL earlier this year for CSK.

Henry bowls the nip-backer, on a good length, around the leg stump. Sanju backs away and has a swipe across the line but is beaten on the inside edge and it sneaks past the leg stump.

The length is pulled back by Henry, on middle and leg. Samson swings a bit too hard and loses his shape in the process. Shanks it off the inner half towards mid-wicket. Abhishek is keen for a single but is sent back and he gets home in the nick of time.

FOUR! Hit with real authority. Henry attacks the stumps with a length delivery. Samson makes room for himself by moving to the leg side and swings through the line. Launches it back over the bowler's head and the mid off fielder stands no chance.

Will we see off-spin early on? Abhishek Sharma has a really poor record against the off-spinner. Not for now, as Matt Henry continues.

FOUR! That will add to the frustration for the home side. Across the off stump, on a back of a length. Sharma has a swing at it but the ball leaves him to take the outside edge. It flies between slip and short third for four more. In an over where New Zealand could have had Abhishek Sharma, it ends up going for 11 runs.

FOUR! Insult to injury! Duffy hits the top of off. Sharma opens up his stance and slams it back over the bowler's head. He does not quite get hold of it but manages to clear mid on and pick up a boundary.

DRAMA! Abhishek Sharma lives to fight on. How costly will this prove to be for New Zealand? A well-directed short ball, tucking the batter up for room. Sharma stays rooted to the crease and goes for the pull. Gets it high on the bat and it goes only as far as deep square leg, where Nathan Smith settles under it to do the rest, but it all goes in vain as Duffy has overstepped. Free Hit coming up.

WOW!!! Abhishek Sharma has hit one straight to Nathan Smith but the umpire asks him to stop and the verdict from the TV umpire is that Duffy has overstepped. Lifeline for Sharma.

Following Samson as he backs away. Sanju misses out on the flick and gets rapped on the pads. A leg bye is taken as the ball rolls on the leg side.

Leaving the left-hander, on a good length. Sharma dances down the track and has a swing at it. Slices it off the outer half towards deep backward point for a single. India are finally on the board in the chase.

Another swing and a miss. Bashed in on a hard length, on off. Sharma swings across for the pull but can't make any connection. Superb build up of pressure from New Zealand early on, 8 dots in a row.

A swing and a miss! Pushed across the left-hander, on the fuller side. Sharma swings for the hills, looking to go down the ground and is beaten on the outside edge.

A maiden to kick-start the chase. Matt Henry was spot on in this over. Jacob Duffy to operate from the other end.

Goes past the bat! Matt Henry begins with a probing maiden. Stark contrast from the first over the other night, when Henry went for 11 runs. In the corridor of off, on a good length. Samson has a loose poke at the ball.

Make that five dots in a row. Henry angles it in on a good length, on middle. Samson stays beside the line and brings his bat out in front to defend. It moves away off the seam to take the outer half before dribbling to point.

So far, so good from Henry. Straightening off a good length, on off and middle. Samson lunges for the block but the ball squirts off the outer half to point.

And again. Henry sticks to the full length and the line is just outside the off stump. Samson presents a straight bat for the block but the ball nips away ever so slightly to go past the outside edge.

Beaten! Samson takes a step back in the crease and makes a bit of room as well. Henry pushes the length up, keeping it in and around the off stump. Gets a hint of a nibble away as Sanju prods at the ball tentatively and is beaten past the outside edge.

Right on the money. Hits the back of a length, angled in on middle. Samson gets right behind the line and stabs it down the track.

FOUR! A boundary to end the innings. New Zealand finish on 180/5. Prince dishes out the off-cutter, on the shorter side, around off. Bracewell sets up for the scoop and stands across the stumps on the off side. He waits for the ball to arrive and gets the scoop over the keeper's head for a boundary. 9 runs off the over, so not that bad an over from Yadav.

Back to attempting the yorker, it comes out as a low full toss, on the pads. The ball dips on Santner and he can't get it away. A leg bye is taken as the ball thuds into the pads and rolls towards the leg side.

On a shortish length, another slower one. Santner waits for it this time before dragging the pull to the right of deep square leg for a couple of runs.

Good change-up by Prince. It is the off-cutter into the wicket at 110 kph. Santner does not pick the change of pace and swings early for the pull. Can only connect with thin air.

Nails another yorker, at the toes. Santner gets the front leg out of the way and digs it out in the vacant mid-wicket region. Yadav goes after the ball himself but cannot prevent the batters from taking the second run.

Prince spots Santner backing away and he follows him with a yorker. Santner can only jam it out to the right of the bowler.

Prince Yadav to bowl the last over.

SIX! High and handsome. Reddy switches to around the wicket and serves it right in the slot, angled in at the pads. Bracewell needs no second invitation as he picks it up off the pads and parks it onto the grass banks beyond deep mid-wicket.

OUT! TAKEN! Bevon Jacobs will be gutted with himself. The timing has been off all night for Jacobs and he holes out eventually. Reddy goes searching for the yorker but it comes out as a full toss, on middle. Jacobs looks to go downtown but the bat turns in his hand, and he spoons it straight down the throat of Axar Patel at long off, who takes the catch around his waist. Bevon looks at his bat as he trudges off.

A pinpoint yorker, tailing back in, on middle. Bevon squeezes it out down the strip.

On the fuller side, angled in at the sticks. Jacobs powers the drive down to long on, where Tilak Varma moves to his left and gets low but he fumbles and allows a second run to be taken.

Slower one, following the batter, on a good length. Jacobs makes room and swings to go down the ground but is beaten past the outside edge.

SIX! Up, up and away! Reddy takes pace off and goes into the wicket. This sits up to be hit for Jacobs, who stands tall, waits for the ball to arrive and wallops it over long off for half a dozen.

OUT! TAKEN! Wicket number 38 for Arshdeep Singh in 2026 and he goes past Bhuvneshwar Kumar for most T20I wickets for India in a calendar year. End of a top knock by Glenn Phillips. Singh sticks to the wide line and has the field set accordingly. Phillips hangs deep in the crease and is made to reach out. He has a swing at it to go big on the off side but the shot is hit into the wind and it goes only as far as deep cover, where Naman Dhir does the rest.

What does the extra delivery have to offer for Arshdeep Singh?

Wide! Drifts beyond the tramline. Phillips lets it be.

Pace off and the length is pulled back. Phillips reaches out and goes inside out over extra cover. He does not quite get hold of it but manages to clear extra cover.

Untidy in the field. Going away with the angle, low full toss. Phillips carves it away towards deep backward point. A wayward throw by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as it goes between the onrushing keeper and the bowler, right in the middle of the surface. That allows the batters to sneak in the second run.

FOUR! Arshdeep misses his mark but Phillips does not. Low full toss, on off. Phillips takes it on the full and just swings through the line, hitting it well wide to the right of Tilak Varma at long off for a four. The 150 is up for New Zealand.

Full and angled away. Phillips swings through the line and launches it towards wide long off. Tilak Varma is quick to his left and slides to mop it up. Two runs taken.

Gets the yorker in, on off. Phillips jams it out to cover.

Wide! Down leg, Phillips swings and misses.

Good effort by Yadav. Prince nails the yorker, on off and middle. Bevon digs it out to the left of the bowler. Prince reacts sharply on his follow-through as he flings himself to his left. He gathers the ball and fires in a throw at the batting end with Jacobs scampering to get back in. He puts in a desperate dive and that saves him.

FOUR! Cleverly played and Bevon Jacobs brings up his 2nd T20I FIFTY. Wide yorker attempted, which is not a good option by Yadav with backward point and third man up inside the circle. Jacobs uses his reach and gets under the ball to slice it over backward point for a boundary. Jacobs has not struck the ball as well as he would have liked but has hung in there and supported Glenn Phillips.

Slower short ball by Jacobs, on off. Bevon stands tall and drags the pull wide of deep square leg for a brace.

Full and around off, this is driven towards cover. Shreyas Iyer dives to his right to make the stop. Just a single.

Nails the yorker, on middle. Jacobs jams it out back past the bowler for a single.

FOUR! Axar Patel's effort goes in vain. Bowled on a back of a length, angled in on middle. Jacobs just swings through the line and powers it to the left of long on. Axar dives to his left but can't cut it off.

18 runs came off this Bhuvneshwar Kumar and he ends his spell with 4-0-50-1. Prince Yadav is called back into the attack.

SIX! 'Oh, that's so good,' was the shout from Glenn Phillips, and we couldn't agree more. Kumar misses his mark and allows Phillips to get under it. Glenn uses the width on offer and wallops it over the deep extra cover fence for half a dozen. 18 runs off the over, another productive one for New Zealand.

Slower one and shorter too. Jacobs drags the pull towards deep mid-wicket for a run.

Back to bowling it at pace, full and wide on off. Glenn looks to force it away but cuts across the shot and it goes down to long off for one.

Wide! Another slower one, beyond the tramline. That is left alone for the keeper to collect.

Pace off and into the wicket, on off. Jacobs shimmies down the track and has a swing at it. Mishits it off the bottom half through mid-wicket for one.

Stays full, on middle, Jacobs whips it to the left of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Vey full, on off. Phillips slams it to deep cover for just a single.

NO BALL AND FOUR! BACK-TO-BACK FIFTIES FOR GLENN! Low full toss, wide of off, Glenn Phillips opens the face of his bat and guides this past the right of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi at backward point for a boundary. The siren goes around signaling that Kumar has overstepped.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar (3-0-32-1) has been brought back.

Quicker and flatter on middle and off, Glenn Phillips hits this in the gap at cover for another single.

Tossed up, around off, Bevon pushes this in the gap through covers for another run.

Darted on off, Glenn punches this to sweeper cover for a single.

Floated around the pads, Bevon Jacobs works this to the deep mid-wicket fielder for a strike rotation.

Short of a length, on middle and leg, Glenn Phillips pulls this to the deep square leg fielder for one run.

SIX! This has been tonked onto the grass banks. Fuller on middle and off, Glenn Phillips swings at it and connects with it from the middle of his bat. The ball clears the leaping Nitish Kumar Reddy at the long on fence for a huge six.

Axar Patel is back for his final over. 0/17 from his 3 overs.

Too full, wide of off, Glenn Phillips smashes this off his back foot to the deep cover fielder for a single.

Back of a length, on off, Bevon Jacobs fends this through the leg side for a single.

FOUR! 100 comes up for the Kiwis. Short and on off, Bevon Jacobs stands tall and pulls this in the gap between deep square leg and deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

Full toss, on middle and off, Glenn Phillips slogs this from the bottom of his bat to deep mid-wicket for a single.

WIDE! On a length, way too wide of off. Wided.

Another yorker, on off, Bevon drills this through mid on for one run.

Yorker, on off, Glenn Phillips thumps this down to long on for a single.

Nitish Kumar Reddy (1-0-7-0) returns to the attack.

Full and wide of off, Glenn Phillips opens his bat face and guides this to the deep third fielder for a single.

Slower one, cutter, short and on off, Bevon Jacobs slaps this through mid off for one run.

Good length, on off, Glenn Phillips punches this to extra cover and rotates the strike.

SIX! That's been pumped out of the park. Pitched-up delivery, on the pads, Glenn Phillips gets right behind the line of the ball and smashes this deep into the crowd towards the deep mid-wicket region for six.

Good length, on the pads, Glenn Phillips flicks this through square leg and comes back for two again.

Direct hit! Good length, on middle and off, Glenn pushes this towards mid off and takes off for a single. Shreyas Iyer was quick onto the ball and hit the stumps on the non-striker's end. The ball deflects to the square leg region and the batters take another one. This is sent upstairs for a run-out check. Replay shows that Glenn puts in a dive as if he has the swimming pool in front of him and makes his ground.

Run out check! Is Glenn Phillips safe? The reaction from the Indians suggests so. Phillips doing Phillips things, throwing himself into an acrobatic full-length dive and giving it everything to make his ground. The replays confirm he is safe!

Arshdeep Singh comes back on, replacing Prince Yadav. 1/8 in Arshdeep's 2 overs so far.

Floated on off, Bevon cuts this well but straight to Vaibhav at point who stops it.

Fired into the batter, on middle and leg, Bevon Jacobs blocks it out.

Short of a length, around off, Glenn pulls this off his back foot to deep mid-wicket for a single.

SIX! High and long enough by Glenn. Fuller on middle and off, Glenn collapses his back knee and lofts it down the ground. The ball teases the leaping Arshdeep Singh at long on and goes behind him for a biggie.

Slider, into the batter, Bevon steps onto his front foot and hits this through mid-wicket for a single.

Under-cutter, on off, Bevon Jacobs punches this to extra cover for no run.

Hard length, on middle and leg, Bevon Jacobs thumps this down the ground for a single to close out the over.

FOUR! How has that gone away to the fence? Bevon is riding his luck here. Yorker, on middle and leg, Bevon Jacobs almost gets beaten as he brings his bat down. Gets it toe-poked, and the ball sneaks past the stumps and races away to the fine leg fence for four runs.

Short and on off, Bevon leaves it all alone.

DROPPED! How costly will this turn out to be? Iyer drops Bevon Jacobs on 20. Short and on middle and off, Bevon gets a bit cramped and flat-bats it from the bottom of the bat to the Indian skipper at mid off. It comes at Iyer around waist height, and he hops a little to take the catch, but the ball bursts through his hands and pops up. He can't cling on to the second chance either.

Good length, on the pads, Glenn Phillips flicks this through mid-wicket and calls for two. Naman Dhr is quick off the fence and keeps it down to just one.

Good length, on top of off, Bevon punches this to the left of mid off for one run.

DRINKS! It has been a restrictive evening for the Kiwis, who are struggling to find both the boundary and the gaps due to a disciplined and suffocating Indian bowling and fielding display. With New Zealand currently stalling at 66 for 3 after 10 overs, the team's fortunes rest heavily on the shoulders of Bevon Jacobs and Glenn Phillips as they look to rebuild the innings. The Kiwis desperately need this partnership to remain unbroken until at least the 15th over, with the ideal scenario seeing one of them bat deep into the death overs until the 18th over to provide a late-innings flourish. Prince Yadav to bowl after the break.

A flash and a miss. Skidding through, short and a bit wide on off. Phillips throws his hands at the ball but does not make any connection.

A lot quicker at 100 kph, shorter and cramping the batter for room. Phillips swings across for the pull but wears it on the body.

At the sticks, on a length. Jacobs wrists it in front of square on the leg side for one more.

Hit high on the bat but safe. Not all that short, on off and middle. Jacobs tries to get inside the line and sinks to a knee to shovel it over short fine leg. Spoons it over the backtracking Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who gives chase and hauls it in. Two runs taken.

A little too straight, on the pads, on a good length. Jacobs hangs back in the crease and uses the angle to clip it to the left of short fine leg for a couple of runs.

Sliding on with the arm, full and on middle. Jacobs pushes it back to the bowler.

Keeps the stumps in play, on a short of a length. Bevon flicks it through mid-wicket and retains the strike with a single.

Good stop. Reddy serves it on a good length, on middle. Bevon taps it down the deck. NKR dives to his right on his follow-through and prevents the single.

FOUR! Hit hard and wide enough. Overpitched by Reddy, on the off stump. Jacobs does not move his feet much but gets his hands through the line of the ball. Cracks the drive well to the right of the man at mid off for a boundary.

Fuller in length, on off. Phillips mishits it off the inner half towards deep mid-wicket. Glenn calls for two but Naman Dhir swoops in off the ropes and cuts down the second run.

On a back of a length, on off. Jacobs stands tall on top of the bounce and punches it to the right of the diving cover-point fielder for a single.

Right on the money. Reddy spears in a yorker, on middle and leg. Jacobs loses his balance slightly but manages to dig it out back to the bowler.

Another change as Naman Dhir is replaced by Nitish Kumar Reddy in the attack.

A mix-up but no harm done. This is fired in, outside off. Phillips hangs back to a full ball and pushes at the ball with hard hands. The outside edge goes straight to short third and Glenn is keen for a quick single. He sets off for the run before being sent back. Luckily for him, the throw from Prince is well away from the keeper.

Pushes the length up, on off. Bevon gets a good stride in and pushes it to long off. They cross.

Shorter and on top of off. Jacobs punches it straight to extra cover.

This is slowed down, on a nagging length, Phillips turns it off the pads in front of square on the leg side and takes a single.

Dishes out an arm ball in line with the off stump. Jacobs plays a punchy drive through covers for one more.

Speared in at the pads, on a good length. Phillips tucks it through square leg and turns the strike over.

Axar Patel comes into the attack now.

The length is pulled back, on middle and leg. Jacobs whips it away to the right of long on and comes back for the second run with ease. The 50 is up for New Zealand.

Dhir gets away with it. Jacobs throws his head back at missing out on a boundary opportunity. Floated down leg. Jacobs has a swing at it and swipes it straight to short fine leg.

Flat and short, pushed through, on middle. Phillips pulls it square on the leg side for one more run.

Shorter and a bit of turn. Jacobs works it off the hips towards deep square leg for a single.

Drifting away from around the wicket, on a length. Jacobs extends his hands and drives it to the left of long off for a couple of runs.

Flighted up, on middle. Phillips drives it to long on and gets to the other end.

End of the Powerplay and NZ will not be happy with what they have on the board as they are 43 for 3. The top three are back in the hut and it is now on the middle order to bail the home side out here. Naman Dhir is called into action.

A confident shot but no run. Pitched up, on off. Jacobs presses forward and knocks it firmly but straight to mid off. At the end of the Powerplay, New Zealand are 43/3.

Skidding through, on a good length, just outside off. Phillips stabs it down in front of cover and hurries to the other end.

Full and straight, attacking the front pad, that is flicked away but straight to the mid-wicket fielder.

At 135 kph, on a good length, on middle and leg. Jacobs nudges it wide of mid on. They think about the second but Arshdeep Singh moves to his right swiftly and keeps the batters down to a single.

Here comes the hard-hitting, Bevon Jacobs. Bevon has a reputation for striking big and clearing the fence with ease.

OUT! CLEANED HIM UP!  Finn Allen tries to be innovative, but it does not come off for him. The start gets even better for India as the dangerous Allen falls. Not sure if Prince spotted Finn making the move towards the off side and set up for the scoop, but he fires in a full ball, tailing back in towards the leg pole. Allen can't connect with the scoop as the ball sneaks under his blade and clatters into the timber. Allen is livid with himself as he swings his bat away in disgust.

Another swing and a miss! In and around the off stump, on a back of a length. Allen has a heave across the line but can only connect with thin air.

Wide! Sprayed down leg, on a length. Allen swings and misses.

It's the same pitch as the first game, but from what we have seen in the first 5 overs, it looks like it's on the slower side tonight. Prince Yadav comes into the attack as the first change.

On a length, around off, Finn Allen slogs this from the bottom of his bat through the gap between mid-wicket and mid on and the ball races away to the deep mid-wicket fence. Nitish gives it a good chase from mid on, flicks the ball back inside the playing area and the covering fielder throws it to the bowler. Bhuvneshwar Kumar gets cheeky with an underarm, behind-the-back throw onto the non-striker's stumps. This is sent upstairs as well. Replay shows that the batter was fairly inside the crease. Three runs taken.

Good length, on middle and off, holds into the surface a tad. Finn flicks this in the air but safely in front of the mid-wicket fielder.

Back of a length, around off, Glenn Phillips cuts this to deep point for a single.

FOUR! Played fine by Glenn Phillips and the ball has raced to the fence. Good length, on middle and leg, Glenn Phillips hits this from the inner portion of his bat to the fine leg region for a boundary. The fielder was positioned at long leg.

Kumar hits the deck hard, bowls it on a length, around off. Finn Allen swings and gets an inside edge that flies just past the leg-pole to the right of Abhishek Sharma at short fine leg for a single. This was racing away to the fence had it gone past Sharma, but he put in a good dive and stopped it.

WIDE! Full and way too down the leg side. Wided.

SIX! Allen has decided to use the crease and is successful in doing so. Back of a length, around off, Finn Allen shuffles across the stumps and scoops this over the sight screen behind the stumps for a massive six.

WIDE! Good length, wide down the leg side. Finn Allen swings and misses. Wided.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar will bowl a third over in a row.

A dot to finish the over, the big wicket of Mitchell and just 5 off it. Full and around off, Glenn Phillips pushes this down towards cover for a dot.

Good length, on middle and off, Glenn Phillips keeps it out.

Good length, around off, going across the batter, Glenn Phillips shoulders arms at it.

FOUR! Thumped in the gap for four runs. Short and wide of off, Glenn Phillips gleefully accepts the width on offer and smashes it in the gap through the covers region for a boundary.

On a length, around the pads, Glenn Phillips misses on the flick and gets it clipped off his pads to the left of the keeper. Sanju Samson gathers this on the dive to his left and appeals for a caught behind, but the umpire turns it down.

Good length, onto the pads, Finn Allen tucks this through square leg for a single.

New Zealand are in early trouble. Glenn Phillips makes his way out to bat.

OUT! CAUGHT! Bhuvneshwar Kumar strikes now. Knuckleball, on a length, around off, floating on the batter. Daryl Mitchell looks to flick this towards the onside but gets a leading edge that hangs high over Tilak Varma at covers. Tilak settles himself well underneath the ball and grabs it safely around his chest. New Zealand are 2 down for 18.

Good length, wide of off, Finn flashes but gets it off the outer half to deep third for a run.

Mitchell survives! Good length, on middle and off, shaping away from the batter. Daryl Mitchell rocks deep inside the crease and pats this around silly mid on to take a quick run. Bhuvneshwar Kumar does well in his follow-through to pick the ball up and hit the stumps on the turn at the non-striker's end. Appeal for a run-out and this is sent upstairs. Replay shows that the batter is inside his crease when the ball hit the stumps.

Direct hit. Indians seem confident that they have got their man. The third umpire is called into action. A good stretch by Daryl Mitchell to slide his bat in and get home before Bhuvneshwar Kumar hit the stumps. NOT OUT!

FOUR! Daryl Mitchell has whipped it away for a boundary. Good length, onto the batter, on his pads. Daryl Mitchell steps inside the line of the ball and swings at it. Connects from the inner portion of his bat and the ball races through the square leg region for four runs.

Hard length, near that off-pole, not giving room to the batter to free his arm. Finn dabs this gently through backward point and rotates the strike.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar sticks to the back of a length, around off, away swing this time. Finn Allen defends this out.

Good length, on the pads, shaping into the batter. Finn pushes this in front of Nitish Kumar Reddy at mid on and steals a run. Nitish was quickly onto it and had a hit at the non-striker's end but missed.

Drags the length back, around off, Daryl Mitchell plays this off his back foot and guides this to deep third for a single to open his account.

On a length, around off, Daryl Mitchell steps across the stumps and has a tentative poke at it but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Arshdeep's 37th T20I wicket of the year brings him level with Bhuvneshwar Kumar for the most T20I wickets by an Indian in a calendar year. Bhuvneshwar claimed 37 wickets in 32 matches in 2022, while Arshdeep has matched that tally this year in the 29th game. Daryl Mitchell is in at number 3.

OUT! CAUGHT! Tim Seifert has to make the long walk back as Singh dismisses him on 7. Good length, on off, shaping away from the batter, Tim Seifert looks to slog across the line but gets it ballooned in the air towards covers off the outer half of his bat. Tilak Varma settles himself well underneath the ball and pouches it. New Zealand are 9 for 1.

LEG BYE! Hard length, shaping back into the batter this time, Finn misses on the flick and gets it deflected off his pads to point for a leg bye.

Arshdeep Singh bowls it on a length, around off, shaping away from the batter. Finn Allen dabs this to backward point for a dot.

Not a lot of swing in the first over from Bhuvneshwar Kumar. It appeared that Bhuvi got more movement in the first game than he has tonight. Arshdeep Singh will bowl from the other end. How much swing, if any, can he get?

That bounced awkwardly on the batter. Back of a length, on leg, Tim Seifert moves away to his leg side and looks to pull it away but the ball keeps climbing on the batter and Tim ends up blocking it out.

On a length, around the pads, Finn Allen flicks this to the right of the square leg fielder and gets off the mark.

Good length, on middle and leg, Tim tucks this in front of mid on and takes a quick run.

SIX! Just a bit of a tweak and the ball disappears for a biggie. Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowls another back-of-a-length delivery, but Tim Seifert shimmies down the track and lofts this over the long off fence for a biggie. First six of the game.

Kumar hits the hard length, on off, shaping away again from the batter. Tim Seifert hops back inside his crease and blocks this in the V.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar starts on the money. Back of a length, around off, shaping away from the batter. Tim Seifert pats this gently to point for a dot.

We are done with the pre-game formalities. It was quite warm earlier in the day, but the temperatures are easing off as the sun begins to set. The grass banks are packed to the rafters, and this ground has a charm of its own, with lush greenery all around offering a refreshing change from the concrete stands we have grown accustomed to. Out walk the power-packed Kiwi duo of Tim Seifert and Finn Allen. Bhuvneshwar Kumar will start with the new ball for India. Bhuvi to Seifert with a slip in place. The countdown is done, and off we go...

Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir has been given the honour of ringing the bell before the start of play. The match officials lead the way, followed by Mitchell Santner and Shreyas Iyer, who lead their respective sides out for the national anthems. It will be India's national anthem first, followed by that of New Zealand.

India (Playing XI) - Sanju Samson (WK), Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (In for Ishan Kishan), Tilak Varma, Shreyas Iyer (C), Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, and Prince Yadav (In for Mayank Yadav).

New Zealand (Playing XI) - Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (WK), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Bevon Jacobs, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (C), Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy (In for Adam Milne), and Lockie Ferguson.

The skipper of New Zealand - Mitchell Santner admits they were off with the ball the other night, but credits India for the way they went about their batting. He feels there were plenty of positives to take from the game, while also acknowledging that there are little things they can do better. Santner shares that the team had a morning training session, treating it as a bit of a refresh day between games. He says the players are well rested and good to go. He also confirms that Jacob Duffy comes in for Adam Milne as part of the rotation, keeping the upcoming ODIs in mind.

The captain of India - Shreyas Iyer opts to bowl first and states dew as one of the reasons. Iyer adds that the side has recovered well and is in good shape and in the right frame of mind. Shreyas mentions that the most important thing is to be proactive and complete their overs in time. Informs that Prince Yadav is in for Mayank Yadav as a tactical change, and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is in for the injured Ishan Kishan. Ends by informing that Sooryavanshi will bat at number 3.

TOSS - It is another gorgeous evening in Christchurch, and the buzz is building with another sell-out crowd in attendance. Mitchell Santner and Shreyas Iyer are present in the middle for the flip of the coin. 'Tails' is the call from Shreyas, and he gets it right for the second game in a row. India elect to BOWL first.

A milestone game for India - Tonight, the Men in Blue will play their 300th T20I, becoming the second team to reach the landmark after Pakistan, who have played 304 matches. India are also just one win away from 200 victories in the format and could become the first team to reach the milestone.

Electric night at Hagley Oval - Christchurch brings clear skies and a fast, true surface that promises another feast of run scoring. The outfield will test every fielding unit to the absolute limit. Can the hosts fire back to level things up, or will the Indian juggernaut roll on to make it 2-0? Do not go anywhere, as the toss is coming right up.

India adjusting the puzzle - The Men in Blue flexed their immense batting depth during their high-scoring chase, but their bowling attack will look for significantly more control. Chipping away with top-order breakthroughs in the powerplay is crucial to keep New Zealand from flying away early. With key batter Ishan Kishan sidelined for this game with a low-grade right adductor strain, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is in contention to slot into the XI.

New Zealand hunting defensive discipline - The Kiwis posted a commanding total with the bat in the series opener, but their bowling unit missed clear defensive execution at the death. Their seamers must quickly adapt their lengths, nailing their yorkers and mixing up slower bouncers instead of offering hittable pace in the slot. Cutting down boundary flow in the final four overs will be Mitchell Santner's biggest tactical priority tonight.

Hello and welcome from Christchurch - We are at the vibrant Hagley Oval for the crucial second T20I between New Zealand and India. The visitors carry a 1-0 series advantage after pulling off a breathtaking chase of 226 in the opening thriller. India has an opportunity to extend the lead in this five-match series, while the Black Caps will fight tooth and nail to level the contest on home turf.

... MATCH DAY ...

Round 2 in Christchurch - The series opener lived up to its billing with a literal ‘batathon’ as batters from both sides unleashed their insane ball striking and took the bowlers to the cleaners. A mammoth 455 runs were scored in the first T20I with as many as 22 sixes struck to all parts of the park. And with the second of the five games also set to be played at the Hagley Oval in a quick turnaround, expect no less than another run fest. The question is, what do the bowlers do? Hit the right areas and execute, and then hope. The format gives them little room for error, and on pitches this good for batting, with the dew making things hospitable, that room shrinks even further. Depth over heroics - Chasing down 225 is no small thing, and India did it in the series opener, which is now their highest successful run chase in T20Is. A win like that tends to leave a dressing room walking taller, and the Indian camp will arrive at the second game with plenty of belief. India showed great depth by refusing to rely on individual heroism. Samson and Abhishek launched the assault early, and beyond minor hiccups for Ishan and Tilak Varma, the batting unit delivered collective blows. Racking up 94 in the Powerplay stands as India's highest score in the first six overs outside home conditions, providing total justification for the hyper-aggressive approach they intend to carry moving forward. Whenever the innings threatened to fall apart, skipper Shreyas Iyer anchored the chase, binding the lineup together to keep the team afloat. He has proven time and again that he thrives under responsibility, delivering crucial knocks whenever the stakes are raised. Spin and spending keep haunting - Behind the thrill of a record-breaking chase lies a familiar, uneasy theme. India’s susceptibility to quality spin in the middle overs continues to resurface. What looked like a cruise at 93 for zero suddenly turned into a high-pressure recovery job as Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell ripped through the top order. That sudden collapse of four wickets in quick succession serves as a stark reminder that conquering spin remains their ultimate challenge in steep chases. While the batters continue to bail them out in some way or the other, India's bowling attack is going through a particularly expensive patch. They have now conceded over 200 runs in four straight outings, a sequence that spans their home series against the West Indies and this tour opener in New Zealand. Leaking more than 225 runs on three separate occasions in that brief period is a red flag that demands swift structural fixes. Operating with only five specialist bowlers and just one spinner, India brought Bhuvneshwar Kumar back into the T20I fold after a lengthy absence. But there was no respite for the attack, as Bhuvneshwar and his fellow bowlers all found themselves on the expensive side, each leaking 40 or more runs. This is the particular area that needs urgent fixes going forward. The binders - Every explosive T20 unit needs reliable engines operating in the middle and lower order to hold the structural framework together. For New Zealand, Glenn Phillips played that glue role to perfection in the opener, blasting an unbeaten 82 off 40 balls to rescue and propel the Kiwi innings after early stumbles. He is a floater in the middle order who can play both roles, an anchor if two wickets fall early and a destroyer if the base is solid. A huge asset. For India, Naman Dhir provided the matching response, displaying remarkable composure with a nerveless 42 not out from 15 deliveries to anchor the closing stages of a historic run chase. Both players represent the ultimate insurance policies for their respective sides, offering explosive power hitting, flexible all-round utility, and the vital ability to stabilise an innings under immense pressure. The cost of indiscipline - If India’s bowlers took the heat, the night wasn’t a walk in the park for the Kiwi attack either. Express pace is a blessing for any seamer, and it gets even scarier when the ball is curving and nipping around. But it comes with a price tag. As they say, the faster it comes, the quicker it goes. New Zealand’s pace-heavy unit had the ball moving and bouncing, yet they lacked the control and discipline to turn that into wickets, and India happily feasted on the scraps. The troika of Henry, Milne and Ferguson leaked 134 runs in their combined 9.4 overs, and only Nathan Smith, introduced very late in the innings for reasons unclear, bowled with any real control. It took the spin duo of Santner and Bracewell, bowling in tandem and sharing four wickets, to tighten the noose. But to stop a batting unit as dangerous as India’s, everyone will have to step up. No passengers with the bat - The most striking thing about New Zealand's 225 is not solely Glenn Phillips' 82. It is that nobody in the top five scored slower than a strike rate of 140. That is why wickets falling at scores of 49, 80, 122 and 195 did nothing to dent the scoring rate. Each time one left, the next arrived at the same speed, and the innings never had to be rebuilt. It also worked in layers. Seifert and Allen made 49 inside five overs. Phillips and Mitchell then kept the middle overs moving. Phillips and Jacobs added 73 in 32 balls, which is the part of the innings that turned a good total into a record one against India. Team form (Last 5 completed T20Is, recent first) - NZ - LWLLL | IND - WLWLW. A setback - Sitanshu Kotak, India's batting coach, has explained why Tilak Varma was promoted to number three, and the answer is Ishan Kishan's fitness. He told the media the call was forced by the injury troubling Kishan, who has now been ruled out of the second T20I with a low-grade right adductor strain. The BCCI will monitor his progress, and the visitors will have to manage without him as they try to stretch their 1-0 lead in the five-match series. This setback might finally open the door for someone like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who has spent a long time waiting on the bench. Still, the more interesting question is what India's batting order looks like without Kishan, and who walks in at a crucial position of number three. Weighing on bowling tweaks? Neither side reports a fresh injury apart from Kishan, yet both attacks have good reasons to tinker. India’s bench offers Prince Yadav as the only other seamer, with Kuldeep and Chakaravarthy waiting as spin options. Santner and Bracewell tightened the noose for New Zealand in the opener, so India may be tempted to bring a second spinner in and take a bit of a gamble. New Zealand, who lean heavily on pace, have Jamieson, Duffy, Tickner and Clarkson ready on the bench if they want to shuffle. India want to tighten their grip on the series, while New Zealand want to hit back to find the equaliser, and the bowlers on both sides simply want a night without a pounding. Hagley Oval is perfectly set for another entertainer.