Samson, Iyer and Dhir Power India to Record Chase in Thrilling Christchurch T20I

India chase down 226, their highest successful T20I chase, to beat New Zealand by four wickets in the series opener

India pulled off their highest-ever successful T20I chase to beat New Zealand by four wickets in the first match of the five-match series at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, on Thursday, October 22. Set 226 to win, India got home with two balls to spare. Naman Dhir sealed it with a six.

Phillips and Allen fire New Zealand to 225

India captain Shreyas Iyer chose to bowl first. Finn Allen, playing his first T20 at home since March 2025, thrilled the crowd with 45 off 24 balls before Axar Patel removed him.

Glenn Phillips then took charge. He added 73 off just 33 balls with Bevon Jacobs, who hit 31 off 16, and finished unbeaten on 82 off 40 balls with eight fours and three sixes. New Zealand’s 225 for 4 was their highest T20I total against India.

Samson’s blistering start

India’s chase started at lightning speed. Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma put on 93 for the first wicket in just 35 balls, and Lockie Ferguson and Adam Milne conceded 48 runs between them in overs three and four. India reached 94 in the powerplay, and Samson brought up a 23-ball fifty.

New Zealand fought back through their spinners. Michael Bracewell and captain Mitchell Santner took two wickets each, and India slipped from 93 for 0 to 122 for 4. Samson was out for 67 off 33 balls.

Iyer and Dhir finish the job

India’s batting depth made the difference. Axar, promoted to No. 6, made a quick 24 and added 45 with Iyer. Iyer was dropped by Allen on 27 and went on to make 42 off 28 balls before falling in the 19th over.

That left India needing 16 off 11 balls. Dhir stayed calm, finding boundaries under pressure, and finished the match with a top-edged hook for six. He ended unbeaten on 42 off 15 balls.

What they said

Iyer said the pitch got flatter in the second innings once the dew set in, which made batting easier. Samson said keeping wicket first had helped him read the conditions before he batted.

The second T20I is at the same venue on Saturday.

Brief scores

India 230 for 6 (Sanju Samson 67, Naman Dhir 42*, Shreyas Iyer 42, Michael Bracewell 2-37, Mitchell Santner 2-39) beat New Zealand 225 for 4 (Glenn Phillips 82*, Finn Allen 45) by four wickets.