New Zealand vs India IND in NZ, 5 T20Is, 2026

SIX! That's it. The tourists have done it. India win by 4 wickets and take an early 1-0 lead in the series. Banged in short on the stumps, angling into the body. Naman Dhir stands tall and swings hard across the line, looking to pull, but gets a thick top edge. To his fortune, the ball loops all the way over the deep fine leg fence for six. Dhir is all smiles as he stays unbeaten on a 15-ball 42.

Nervy! Half a chance for a run out, but missed. Another full toss, on off, Nitish drills it down the ground towards mid off and sets off for a single. Santner dives like he is plunging into a swimming pool, scooping the ball up and flicking an underarm throw towards the bowler's end. But the shy misses its mark, forcing Reddy to dive desperately to make his ground safely. 2 runs needed off 3 balls.

Slightly short of a length, on top of middle, Dhir hangs back and jabs it with soft hands through square leg for a single. They think about the second but Milne is quick to sprint from short fine leg and dive to his left to prevent any other run.

FOUR! Up and over! That should be the game for India now. Henry completely misses the yorker and gifts a low full toss on the stumps. Dhir stands deep in the crease and despite the bottom hand coming off the handle, he clears mid off for a boundary. 4 needed off 5.

Down to the final over. We couldn't have asked for a better start to this long, all-format series between the two sides. Just like India, New Zealand have also been penalised for a slow over rate. They will be allowed only four fielders outside the 30-yard circle for the final over. Matt Henry has been handed the ball.

Spears it full on the off stump. Dhir opens his stance to go big, but cannot get underneath it and powers it down to long off for a single.

A wide yorker at 134 kph, outside the off stump. Dhir throws his bat at it and carves it wide of backward point. It slows down in the outfield and the sweeper cuts it off to his right. Two runs taken. 9 needed off 7. Big delivery coming up.

FOUR! A gift and Dhir accepts it gleefully. Adam misses the yorker, bowls a low full toss outside off, Dhir stays compact in the crease with a stable base and powers it between mid off and extra cover for a boundary. 11 needed off 8 balls now.

Angled into the bodyline on a good length. Nitish swooshes it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Pinpoint yorker by Milne, on the leg stump. Nitish jams the bat down in time and squeezes it back to the bowler. A crucial dot ball for the hosts.

The new batter is Nitish Kumar Reddy.

OUT! CAUGHT BY THE SKIPPER! That's a fine catch diving forward under pressure by Santner. Back of a length, outside the off stump. It appears to be holding on the surface a bit and arrives a fraction late to the batter. Shreyas looks to loft it over cover, but cloths it to extra cover off the toe end. And we have another twist in the game as Iyer departs. India are 210/6, needing 16 runs from 11 balls.

Adam Milne to bowl the 19th over, with India needing 16 runs from 12 balls.

FOUR! Off the outside edge but India will take it no matter how the runs come. Very full by Smith, outside off, Dhir attempts to smash that through covers, but gets a big outside edge. The ball goes flat and over the leaping short third fielder before speeding into the fence. Two massive overs for India, and they are in the driving seat now.

FOUR! Gets it away! Slower and shorter by Smith, at shoulder height. Naman waits, and waits and waits for it to arrive before he unleashes the pull shot. Gets a bit of a top edge but clears short fine leg for a boundary.

It's really slippery out there because of the dew around. Smith first slips in a full toss on the body and Iyer powers it down the ground to the left of long on. Santner runs in off the ropes, but slips a bit when he tries to pick the ball and fumbles. Now, the batters look to steal the second run, but Shreyas slips at the non-striker's end after completing the first.

Takes all the pace off and bashes it on a length, 117 kph, on middle, Naman Dhir has to really drag it with the pull shot to deep square leg's left for a single.

Back of a length, 139 kph, around off, Iyer covers the stumps by moving to the off side and punches it crisply down to long off for a single. 200 up for India! They need 26 runs from 16 balls.

Short of a length, following the batter. Shreyas shuffles to the leg side and pulls it to the right of the long on fielder. Finn Allen runs across and fields it. Two runs taken.

A wee bit short, outside the off stump. Iyer lets the ball dip and smashes it to widish long off for a single. 2/39 in 4 overs for Santner as he leaks 19 runs off his last over.

FOUR! Finds the gap expertly! A bit short and too wide outside off. Enough width for Iyer to work with and he hangs back before powerfully cutting it to the off side. Manages to bisect the cover-point and backward point fielders for a boundary. India need 30 runs from 19 balls now.

Slows it up, full and outside off, Dhir reaches out in front and lofts it over extra cover for a single.

FOUR! Another heroic effort, this time by Phillips, but it's another boundary. A length ball angled wide of off, and Dhir rocks back to cut it ferociously behind square on the off side. Glenn Phillips sprints to his left and dives at full stretch, but the ball touches the boundary cushions before Phillips flicks it away. The TV umpire checks the replay and confirms the boundary.

SIX! Heart-in-mouth moment for Dhir. Excellent acrobatic effort by Smith but it goes in vain. Skidded in on a length at middle and leg, tempting the big swing. Dhir drops to one knee and heaves it towards deep mid-wicket, where Smith flings himself into the air to his left and gets both hands to it. But with the boundary right behind him, he cannot release the ball before tumbling over the rope, and that's a six.

WIDE! Fired beyond the tramline, outside off. Let through by Dhir.

Great work in the deep by Finn! Short of a length, outside off, Dhir stands tall and muscles it over wide mid off. Allen runs across from long off and slips due to the greasy outfield, but manages to save a couple of runs.

Mitchell Santner is back on the park and straight into the action. 3-0-20-2 so far for the Kiwi skipper.

A lethal response by Smith. He nails in the yorker at the base of the leg stump. Iyer's head falls over as he tries to shovel it out but misses and it crashes into the leg stump. But it's a Free Hit so it won't count.

NO BALL! Oh, no! That's a vicious beamer by Smith. He slips in a full toss at chest height, on the bodyline. Iyer is cramped for room as he looks to pull and takes a blow on his gloves as the ball rolls to square leg. Iyer is wincing in pain, and Smith apologises straightaway.

A bit too full and straight, on leg. Iyer backs away, exposes the stumps to smash it through cover, but ends up hitting it straight to the fielder. Shows a bit of frustration, does Iyer.

Short of a length, slower one at 118 kph, Iyer controls the pull shot through mid-wicket and they hustle back for the second run.

Back of a length, outside off, Dhir tries to hit it straight, but gets it sliced aerially off the outside edge towards deep third. It goes on the bounce to Ferguson at deep third for a single.

Nips in from a length, on the stumps, Iyer tries to pull but the ball skids, takes the inside edge and rolls to deep square leg for a single.

Spears it full and on the pads, Shreyas flicks it to deep mid-wicket. Glenn Phillips dashes to his left and makes a fine stop, keeping it down to two runs.

It's nicely poised, folks. India need 55 runs in 30 balls. And a very late introduction of Nathan Smith into the attack.

DROPPED! Finn Allen is the guilty party. Shreyas Iyer had his heart in his mouth for a moment there. Ferguson bangs it in short, on off. Iyer stands tall and tries to drag the pull in front of square on the leg side. Hits it flat towards long on, where Allen comes in off the ropes and slides to take the catch. It clips his fingertips and drops to the ground. Two runs taken. How costly will this prove to be?

At 139 kph, on a hard length, on off. Iyer shuffles across the stumps. He is tucked up for room but still manages to run it down to the left of deep third for a brace.

Outside off, on a back of a length. Dhir punches it to deep cover for a single.

Another twist in the game as Axar falls. Naman Dhir is in at number 7.

OUT! CAUGHT! A timely breakthrough for New Zealand. Ferguson hits the hard length and cramps the left-hander for room. Axar tries to tug it away in front of square on the leg side but cannot free his arms in the desired fashion. Spoons it tamely off the upper half of the blade. It balloons towards mid-wicket, where the sub fielder, Devon Conway dives in front and takes a good catch. India are 167/5, needing 59 runs off 33 balls.

Half a shout for caught behind. Lockie Ferguson seems to have heard something, but Tim Seifert does not go up. Pace off, on a back of a length, on middle. Axar rises up on his toes and tries to glide it down to deep third but misses.

Wide! Down leg, on a back of a length. Patel misses out on the glance.

Angled away, on a good length. Axar extends his hands and drives it to extra cover.

Just the over India needed. But they will have to keep attacking as the asking rate is 10 runs per over now. Absolutely doable at this stage. And dear me! Santner is going off the field. Ravi Shastri reckons on air that he just might be feeling a bit dizzy after banging his head on the ground while going for the catch. Daryl Mitchell steps in as stand-in captain, but the hosts will be hoping Santner is back soon.

SIX! Beautifully picked up. 20 runs off the over, a much-needed one for India. Fractionally short, on middle and leg. Iyer hops back and gets inside the line of the ball. Shovels it off the pads and gets enough bat on it to clear the fielder at deep backward square leg.

TOUGH CHANCE! Angled away, on a back of a length, on off. Patel spanks it back towards the bowler. Henry sticks out his right hand but the ball does not stick in his grasp. The ball trickles past the stumps as the batters cross over.

FOUR! Smart batting. Angled away, on a good length. Patel walks across the stumps and sets up for the scoop. He uses the pace and gets it fine of the short fine leg fielder for a boundary.

Tucking the batter up for room, on a back of a length. Iyer knocks it through mid on for a single.

The length is dragged back, at the hips. Iyer tucks it with soft hands in the vacant square leg region. By the time any of the deep fielders can get in, Shreyas is back for the second.

SIX! Nicely done. Henry begins with a full ball, on off. Iyer presents the full face of the blade and leans into the lofted stroke with the man up at mid off. He does not try to overhit this one and just times it. Clears the long off fence for a six.

India need 80 runs from 42 balls, and Matt Henry is brought back on.

FOUR! Insult to injury! On a hard length, on off. Patel presses up on his toes, gets his hands high and slaps it to the left of deep point for a boundary. 80 runs needed off 42 balls.

Oh dear, Santner’s head slams into the ground while attempting for the catch, and the physio sprints out to check on him. He looked a bit shaken at first, and a couple of his teammates converged, asking about his well-being. He seems alright and the concussion check is done as well. Good to resume.

PUT DOWN! And to make matters worse, Mitchell Santner seems to have injured himself as well. Angled away, on a length. Patel shimmies down the track and looks to go down the ground. Slices it a long way up over mid off. Santner backpedals but gets into a bit of a tangle and at the last moment, he tries to take the catch over his head but can't cling on and ends up landing hard on the ground. His neck gets jarred in the process.

A swing and a miss! Banged in short, over middle. Patel gives the bowler a premeditated charge and has a swoosh at it but fails to connect.

At the hips, Axar nudges it to mid-wicket.

Hurls it on a good length, on off. Iyer stands tall on top of the bounce and punches it wide of extra cover, where the fielder slides to his left to make the stop.

Ferguson pitches it up, on off. Iyer firms the drive down the deck with a straight bat. A sharp, low stop to his left by Ferguson.

Lockie Ferguson returns. He replaces Mitchell Santner.

SIX! Well struck! Bracewell gives a bit of air and ends up being a bit too full, on middle. Axar clears the front leg, puts his head down and swings through the line. Smacks it to the right of the long on fielder for a flat six. 87 needed off 48 balls.

Turning back in at the hips, fractionally short. Iyer nurdles it behind square leg for the 5th single of the over.

Bowls it flat and on a nagging length, on middle. Axar nudges it in front of square on the leg side for another single.

Pushed through, full and on middle. Iyer eases it to long on and rotates the strike.

At the hips, Patel goes back in the crease and flicks it away through square leg for a single.

Flat and short, around the hips. Iyer shovels it away off the pads but picks out short fine leg. Axar calls him through for a quick single.

FOUR! In the gap. Angled in at the pads, full in length. Axar crouches and heaves it away. Gets it wide enough of Glenn Phillips in the deep to his left for a boundary.

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

Fires it in full again, on middle. Axar smears it away towards mid-wicket for one.

93/0 suddenly has turned into 122/4 for India. New Zealand right on top now. Oh, interesting! Axar Patel has been promoted to number 6, over the likes of Nitish and Dhir.

OUT! CAUGHT! High but nowhere close to being long enough. Mitchell Santner strikes in successive overs. Flighted up, on middle. Kishan gets down on a knee for the slog sweep but gets it right off the bottom part of the bat. Skies it a long way up between deep mid-wicket and long on and it is an 85-metre hit in that region. Finn Allen charges across to his left from long on and slides to complete a safe catch. India are coming unstuck after a fiery start.

Fuller and speared in at the sticks. Iyer pushes it to deep cover for a run.

Darted in, on a length, around the off stump. Iyer walks across the stumps and scoops it past short fine leg for a couple of runs.

Halfway through the chase. New Zealand were 98/2 at the same stage.

Shortish delivery again, on off, Iyer rocks back and slaps it through mid off for a single. At the halfway stage of the chase, India are 119/3, needing 107 runs from 60 balls.

Dropped short and drifted on the leg stump, Ishan presses back and pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

Slower through the air, at just 82 kph. Full on the stumps, Ishan leans on and pushes it back to Michael.

With the fall of Tilak Varma, the umpires call for DRINKS. This is turning into a good little phase for New Zealand, who have picked up 2 wickets for just 5 runs in the last 9 balls, including the big one of Sanju Samson. We saw India slow down through the middle overs in the recent series against West Indies, and a similar pattern is emerging here. Samson's presence would have helped them keep the momentum going, but with two new batters at the crease, New Zealand have an opening to fight their way back into the game. Ishan Kishan joins Shreyas Iyer out in the middle.

OUT! CAUGHT IN THE DEEP! Tilak's struggles come to an end and the Kiwi spin duo are really tightening the noose here. Tossed up on a length outside leg, inviting the big shot. Tilak charges down the track and attempts to clear long on, but fails to get to the pitch of the delivery and has to reach for it in front of him. No power or timing on the shot, and he ends up dragging it off the toe end of the bat, offering Lockie Ferguson a straightforward catch at deep mid-wicket. Wicket number 2 for Bracewell and the hosts are delighted. India slip to 117/3, needing 109 runs from 63 balls.

Short on leg, Shreyas hangs back and chips it towards long on for a single.

The physio rushes out for the concussion check. The test is done and Tilak Varma is ready to resume.

Fired on a fuller length, on leg, Varma tries the reverse sweep. But the ball pops up, takes the glove and deflects on the helmet before running to the third man region. A single.

A massive blow for India. Samson was looking unstoppable. The skipper, Shreyas Iyer walks out to bat. Still no sign of Ishan Kishan, and you do wonder if there's an injury concern or a tactical reason behind India holding him back.

OUT! CHOPPED ON! Who else but Santner? Not a wicket-taking delivery by any means, by the way. It is short and wide outside off. Sanju Samson backs away a bit to play the cut shot but the ball holds on the surface and arrives a tad late. He swings his bat hard at it, but ends up inside edging it onto the off stump. Samson falls after an entertaining knock and India are 115/2, needing 111 runs.

Fractionally full and around off, Sanju punches it on the up to deep extra cover. He calls it for two and they will easily get it. Good running between the wickets.

Keeps attacking the leg stump, does Santner, on a fullish length. Tilak Varma uses his wrists and steers it behind square leg for a single. India are 113/1 and they need another 113 runs to win.

Quicker and shorter, on leg, Tilak gets a bit rushed up and whips it to short fine leg. More off the inside half of the bat.

Seeing Varma move to the leg side, Santner cunningly fires one outside leg, too full. Tilak is cramped for room and can only ease it back to the bowler.

Darted in at 93 kph, full on leg, Tilak tickles it to short fine leg, but straight to the fielder.

Tad short, sliding onto the pads, Varma goes deep in the crease and steers it through mid-wicket for a single.

Had to really hurry there! Pushed through, full and around off, Sanju pushes it wide of extra cover and calls Tilak for a single. The fielder is quick to pick and throw in motion, but misses his shy at the batting end. Varma was well in, even if the throw was on target.

Dips on the batter, short outside off, Tilak hangs back and slashes it to deep cover-point for a single.

Slows it through the air, fullish on the leg stump, sliding down. Tilak looks to whip it to the leg side but the ball rolls off the leading edge, back to the bowler.

A wee bit short and outside off, Samson cuts it to deep backward point for a single.

SIX! Samson is on a roll in Christchurch! Lands it full, on the leg stump. Samson stays leg side of the ball, takes the front foot out and bludgeons it over the long off fence for a six.

A bit full and on off, Samson presents the full face of his bat and drives it along the ground. One run at long off. Just 8 from Santner's first.

FOUR! A bit edgy, but in the gap! Shortish delivery, outside off, Sanju stays deep inside the crease and creates room. Cuts it uppishly off the outside edge, but it shoots between short third and backward point for a boundary. That brings up the 100 for India. They need 125 runs from 79 balls.

Drops it short and outside off, Samson rocks back and smashes it to the right of the cover fielder. The man there dives and gets a hand on it, but parries it to the left of long off. Bevon Jacobs cuts it off in the deep. Two runs taken.

Pitched full and outside off, Sanju pushes it to short cover.

That's a brilliant piece of fielding by Santner himself! He pushes it onto the pads, full and from around the stumps. Sanju drives it to the right of the bowler and Santner dives on his follow-through to save a few runs for sure.

Begins with a length ball, on the pads, sliding down further. Varma hangs back and turns it through backward square leg for a single.

Done with the Powerplay. After 6 overs, New Zealand were 65/1, while India are 94/1. Mitchell Santner brings himself on.

Slides into the batter, full on middle, Varma presses forward to push it to the off side but the ball squirts off the inside edge towards mid-wicket for a single. India dominate the Powerplay with 94/1 on the board.

Once again in his career, Abhishek Sharma falls to an off-spinner. A change in the batting order for India, as Tilak Varma has walked in ahead of Ishan Kishan.

OUT! TAKEN! At long last, some relief for New Zealand. They needed that wicket badly. Michael lands it around the off stump and it spins and bounces off the track. Abhishek Sharma exposes the stumps by shuffling to the leg side and tries to cut it powerfully over point, but ends up slicing it off the outer portion of his willow. Adam Milne at short third takes a sharp catch with a reverse cup and India are 93/1, needing 133 runs in 85 balls.

FIFTY FOR SAMSON! Brilliant batting display so far and he gets to his milestone off just 23 balls. That's his 11th T20I half-century and he continues his rich vein of form in the shortest format. From around the stump, this is pitched full on leg, Samson works it down to long on for an easy single.

FOUR! Up and over and Samson gallops to 49! Around off and middle with the length pulled back by Bracewell. Sanju backs away, makes room and thumps it over the mid off fielder for a boundary.

SIX! That's disappeared! Juicy half-volley, on middle and leg. Easy pickings for Samson. He clears his front leg and absolutely smokes it over long on for a massive six. Insane ball striking by these two.

Starts with a short ball, outside off, Samson backs away and punches it on the bounce to mid off.

Another expensive over. India are flying high and Santner is the man looking for the answers. Michael Bracewell will wrap up the Powerplay.

In the air...but lands safely. Henry lands it full, on middle. Sharma holds his shape, presents a straight bat and just swings through the line. He does not quite get hold of it but it drops safely down the ground before mid on or mid off can get there. Two runs taken.

Spears in the yorker, on off. Sharma squeezes it out to extra cover.

Wide! A slower bumper, over off. Sharma arches back and tries to play the upper cut over the keeper but does not connect. Too high for the umpire's liking.

At pace, on a good length, on middle. Samson has a swing at it. Shanks it off the inner half towards mid on for a single.

Cramping the batter for room, on a back of a length. Sanju mistimes the pull towards mid-wicket.

SIX! How did that go all the way? That looked like a mishit by Samson. Slower one, on a nagging length, on middle. Sanju is not to the pitch of the ball but still swings through the line. Skies it off the bottom half of the bat but has enough on it to clear the long on fence.

FOUR! Nearly went the distance. Henry steams in from over the wicket and dishes out the short ball, on middle and leg. Samson stands tall and unleashes the pull. Hits it flat and to the left of the deep square leg fielder. One bounce and over the ropes.

Absolute mayhem in Christchurch. 48 runs in the last 2 overs for India, and they need 158 runs from 96 balls. Matt Henry is back on. 1-0-11-0 so far and he replaces Lockie Ferguson.

SIX! This is even bigger. Hit with absolute authority. Milne hits the back of a length at pace this time, but once again, he fails to get it high enough to trouble the batter. Sharma sets himself up in the crease and dispatches the pull way beyond the deep mid-wicket fence. 26 runs off the over as the onslaught continues. Among all those present on the grass bank, a man takes the catch, and his joy knows no bounds.

SIX! That sounded so sweet. Slower one by Milne, bowled into the deck, on off. This sits up to be hit around the waist, and Sharma pulls it over square leg for half a dozen. 20 runs so far with one ball left in the over.

Wide! Banged in short, outside off. Sharma lets it go. Wide given for height.

FOUR! Another teaser for Tim Seifert as the boundaries keep flowing. Milne delivers it full, angled away. Abhishek gives the bowler a premeditated charge and ends up getting too close to the ball. He hurriedly gets his bat down to squeeze it out. It flies past the leaping attempt of Tim Seifert to his left and races away.

Swinging back in, full and at the sticks. Abhishek clears the front leg and smears it away but it goes straight to the mid-wicket fielder.

This goes away from the left-hander and the length is pulled back. Sharma pushes away from his body and is beaten on the outside edge.

FIVE WIDES! Oh, dear. New Zealand are leaking runs far too easily. Milne gets the ball to shape back in but he starts too straight and it goes further down leg. Sharma tries to pick it up off the pads but fails to connect and Tim Seifert is beaten to his right despite the dive. The 50 comes up for India in 3.2 overs.

Play pauses briefly as Abhishek Sharma calls for a quick fix to his shoes. There is a lot of mud stuck in his spikes, and one of the reserve players heads out with a brush to clear it. The needful is done and we are good to resume.

FOUR! Abhishek flashes and flashes hard. Leaving the left-hander, on a short of a good length. Sharma throws his hands at the ball. There is no one at slip and the outside edge flies past Tim Seifert, who flies to his left but stands no chance.

A dot to end the over. Pace off, on a back of a length, on middle. Samson plays all around it and wears it on the body. 22 runs off the over and India are off to a flying start.

FIVE WIDES! It is going from bad to worse for Lockie Ferguson. 22 runs off the over with a ball still to go. Ferguson spots Samson backing away and he follows him with a hard-length delivery. It keeps going further down leg as Sanju swings and misses. Tim Seifert dives to his left, but the ball stays out of his reach and goes into the fence.

FOUR! Hit hard and wide enough. Ferguson sticks to the full length but this is a bit too full, on off. Samson is able to get under the ball and lofts it downtown. Hits it away from the reach of Mitchell Santner at mid off and picks up another boundary.

SIX! All the way. Hooping back in, on the fuller side, on middle and leg. Right in the hitting arc and Samson puts his head before mowing it over the wide long on fence for a six.

FOUR! A comical error in the field. Lockie pushes the length up, on off. Samson gets his hands through the line and has a swing at it. He does not quite get hold of it but manages to clear extra cover. Glenn Phillips and Mitchell Santner give chase but there is no communication between them. Both put in a slide and get in the way of each other. Neither is able to lay a hand on the ball as it trickles into the boundary cushions.

Hits the back of a length, outside off. Sharma glides it behind point with an open bat face for a single.

Moving away in the air, flirting with the tramline. Abhishek shoulders arms. He is perplexed that it is not called a wide.

TWO WIDES! Prodigious movement but no control. Ferguson gets the ball to shape back in but it goes down leg. Samson fails to lay any bat on the tickle. Tim Seifert flings himself to his left and gets a glove on it. It dribbles wide of short fine leg, before it is mopped up. They cross.

The physio is out for Samson. Looks like there's an issue with his right hand, as he has taken off that glove. The treatment is done and he is good to resume. Lockie Ferguson is brought into the attack, replacing Matt Henry.

Nearly dragged it back onto the stumps. In and around the off stump, on a good length. Sanju stays leg side of the ball and tries to run it down to deep third. Chops it down just past the off stump before Abhishek calls him through for a quick single. Milne goes for 9 runs in his first over in his comeback game. India need 206 runs in 108 balls.

Milne pitches it up and gets the ball to swing away. Samson leans into the stroke and angles the drive to the man at backward point, who is in really tight.

A big swing and a miss! Milne bashes the hard length, tucking the batter up for room. Samson moves towards the leg side and has a heave across the line but only connects with thin air.

FOUR! Helped away. Perhaps expecting the short ball, Samson backs away. Milne responds by following him with a length delivery. Sanju uses the pace and the angle of the ball to glance it down to the vacant deep fine leg fence.

FOUR! Enough bat on it to find the fence. Slanting back in, on a length, on middle and leg. Samson presents the full face of the bat and launches it over mid on. The ball drops just in front of the boundary cushions before trickling beyond.

Lovely shape first up for Milne. It won't be there for long, as we saw when India bowled. Starts full and it curves away from the right-hander. Sanju fishes at the ball away from his body and is beaten past the outside edge.

Very productive start for India. They need 215 runs from 114 balls. It will be Adam Milne with the second new ball. He has been in and out of the New Zealand setup due to injuries, and will look to make big impact right away.

SIX! Up, up and away! Henry pushes it across the left-hander, more on the fuller side. Bread-and-butter stuff for Sharma, who feasts on the width. He frees his arms and carves it over cover for half a dozen.

Hits the back of a length, on off, nipping back in, on off. Sanju looks to keep it out off the back foot. Ekes out an inside edge onto the thigh pad. A single is taken as the ball drops on the off side.

Wowza! That is an absolute seed by Henry. Nip-backer on a good length, on middle. Samson does not move his feet at all and has a tentative prod at the ball. The ball jags back a long way to cut Samson in half. It sneaks past the inside edge and luckily for him, the bounce takes the ball over the stumps. Tim Seifert flings himself to his left to catch the ball.

FOUR! Samson and India are on their way. Henry goes into the deck, on off. Samson picks up the length early and hangs back in the crease. He swings across for the pull and even though the bat turns in his hand, he gets it well to the left of deep square leg for a boundary.

Drags the length back, on top of off. Samson presses back in the crease, rides the bounce and glides it down to short third with an open bat face.

Goes past the bat! A little bit of an away shape, on a good length, in the channel. Samson takes a step down the track and has a fiddle at the ball. Gets beaten on the outside edge.

FOUR! What a way to end the innings. Innovation at its very best. 14 runs off the final over as New Zealand finish on 225/4. Kumar slips in a full ball, on middle. Phillips switches his hands on the bat and shapes up as a left-hander. He swings it away in front of square. There is only one man square of the wicket on the off side for the right-hander, and he is well beaten to his right.

Low full toss, on off. Phillips powers the drive wide of long off. Tilak Varma is swift to his right there but can't pick the ball up in one go, allowing the batters to come back for the second run comfortably.

Bracewell shuffles across but Bhuvi sticks to his line and length, a yorker, on off. Michael digs it out to extra cover for a single. New Zealand move to 219, this is now their highest T20I score on home soil.

Back to the wide line, on a good length. Phillips reaches out and spanks it on the bounce to Axar Patel at deep cover. Just a single. 7 runs off the over so far.

Wide. Slower bumper, outside off. Phillips hops to flay at it but misses as the ball goes over his head. Wide given for height.

On a length, pushed across the left-hander. Bracewell extends his hands and plays the lofted hit to the right of deep cover. Naman Dhir covers a lot of ground to his right and slides before Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, on as a sub, converges and tidies up. Three runs taken and that brings Phillips back on strike.

Keeps it around the tramline and the length is pulled back a bit. Phillips reaches out and has a swing at it. Drags it back towards the bowler and Bhuvi can only make a half-stop. A single is taken as the ball deflects towards extra cover.

Wide! Beyond the tramline, Phillips lets it go.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar (3-0-35-0) will bowl the last over of the first innings. Also, India have been penalised for not completing their overs in time. Meaning, India will have to keep an extra fielder inside the ring.

A full toss, outside off. Phillips loses his shape and mistimes it down to long off for just a single.

FOUR! Incredible shot. Reddy nearly gets the yorker in, on off. Phillips hangs deep in the crease and stays beside the line. Gets just enough leverage to get under the ball and he goes inside out to the right of deep cover for a boundary. One bounce and over the ropes. 11 runs off the over with a ball to go. New Zealand move to 210 and this is now their highest T20I score at this ground.

Low full toss, on middle, that is slogged away to the left of deep mid-wicket for a brace.

FOUR! Up and over. Reddy gets the yorker wrong and dishes out a full toss, outside off. Phillips gets his hands through the line of the ball and slams it over extra cover. The man from the inner ring and another at deep cover give chase, but the ball wins the race.

Yorker attempted, on middle. Bracewell mistimes the heave down to long on for a single. The 200 is up for New Zealand.

Given LBW but successfully overturned. Well, well, that looked pretty straight in real-time but Bracewell survives. Reddy bowls the seam-up ball. He goes for the yorker, but it comes out as a low full toss, angled in from around the wicket, on middle and leg. Bracewell shuffles across the stumps for the scoop. He tries to take it on the full but misses and gets pinged low on the front pad. At the request of Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell takes the review. No bat involved on UltraEdge, but the Ball Tracking has the ball missing the leg stump by a coat of varnish. The batters had crossed over for a leg bye but since the on-field umpire had given it out, the ball is deemed dead. So, it stays as a dot.

Had to hurry! A direct hit could have found Bracewell wanting there. Closer to the off stump, on off. Michael creams it away straight to extra cover and scampers through for the single. A clean pick-up by Shreyas Iyer but he misses his shy at the bowling end as Bracewell dives to get home.

Wide. This drifts beyond the tramline, very full. Bracewell lets it go.

Attempts the yorker but it comes out as a low full toss, wide on off. Phillips reaches out and powers it to deep cover for one more run.

Low full toss, tailing back in, on middle. Bracewell plays around his front pad as he flicks it to deep backward square leg for a single.

An important wicket for the Indians. Jacobs walks back, very disappointed. Michael Bracewell walks in at number 6.

OUT! BEVON JACOBS IS RUN OUT! Excellent piece of work by Arshdeep Singh. Singh gets the yorker in, around the off stump. Phillips jams it out right beside him and hesitates at first before Jacobs calls him through for a quick single. Arshdeep gets to the ball quickly on his follow-through and kicks it onto the stumps with his left boot. He manages to hit the stumps as Bevon puts in a desperate dive. Nothing more than a polite enquiry from the Indians, and it is sent upstairs. The replays find Jacobs to be short despite the dive. That is a wicket given away cheaply.

Is that a run out at the batting end? Arshdeep ran forward on his follow-through, and kicked the ball into the stumps. Jacobs dived but his bat was still marginally out of the crease. The TV umpire needed to check whether Arshdeep's left knee made contact with the stumps before the ball did. Another angle settled it, confirming that it was the ball that struck first, with his knee well clear of the stumps.

FOUR! In the gap. Arshdeep takes pace off and pushes it across the right-hander, on a good length. Phillips feasts on the width as he carves to the left of Axar Patel at deep point for a boundary.

With the field set for the wide yorker, Arshdeep steams in from over the wicket. Low full toss, near the tramline. Jacobs slices it to deep backward point for a single.

Last 3 overs left. New Zealand are inching closer to 200 and expect at least 30-40 more runs if they keep hammering runs at the same rate. Arshdeep Singh (3-0-36-1) will bowl his last over.

FOUR! One bounce and over the ropes. 18 runs off the over, a good one for New Zealand. Yadav lands it on a good length and attacks the sticks. Phillips stays beside the line and stands with an open stance. Lofts it back over the bowler's head and Tilak Varma at long on stands no chance of cutting it off.

Hits the back of a length, on middle. Jaobs drives it on the up towards long on for a single.

Looks like the ball is not retrieved from the crowd. So there's a bit of a delay. And it's relayed back into play eventually.

SIX! That has gone back many a mile. A well-directed bouncer, around the right shoulder. Jacobs takes his eyes off the ball as he plays the hook and gets more of a top edge, but it goes all the way onto the grass banks.

Digs it in short, does Yadav, on middle. Jacobs makes room and attempts the pull but the ball grazes the toe end of the bat and goes behind the wicket. Sanju Samson dives to his right to mop it up.

On a hard length, on middle. Phillips hangs back and is cramped for room but manages to tug it away in front of square on the leg side for one.

SIX! Glenn Phillips brings up his FIFTY in style, his 13th in T20Is. He has started this bumper season just the way he would have liked. Yadav takes pace off and goes into the deck, on off. Phillips rises up on his toes and swings across for the pull. Hits it flat but to the right of the deep mid-wicket fielder for a six.

Mayank Yadav (3-0-22-1) is back on and will bowl out. He replaces Nitish Kumar Reddy.

Keeps it near the tramline, full in length. Phillips reaches out and smashes it to deep cover for only a single. The 50-run stand comes up in 26 balls.

Yorker attempted but it comes out as a full toss, on off. Phillips clinks it off the toe end and it dribbles towards long off, allowing Phillips to come charging back for the second.

Jacobs can't take full toll. Nearly a yorker by Kumar, around the off stump. Jacobs hangs deep in the crease and tries to get under the ball to clear the long on fence. Holes out to Nitish Kumar Reddy there, who holds onto the ball and is not aware that it was a Free Hit ball. Iyer is not happy one bit and has a word or two to say. No damage done, though, just a single.

No Ball given for it being the second bumper of the over. Pace off, slower one, on off. Jacobs hops and plays the upper cut but misses. Free Hit coming up.

SIX! All the way. Stand and deliver stuff by Jacobs. On a back of a length, on off. It is the slower one and Jacobs is nowhere near the pitch of the ball but uses his long levers to swing through the line. Tilak Varma tries to hug the boundary cushions to have any chance of taking the catch but trips over them and falls to the ground. The ball was going over him anyway.

That must have hurt Bhuvi as he took a blow to his right thumb. The physio is out to check on him, while Iyer and Tilak also converge to check on his well-being. He's wringing his hands in pain, and with the temperature this low, the sting is bound to hurt that much more. Shivam Dube now rushes out with what looks like an ice pack. It is applied to the bruised area and eventually, he is ready to go.

Oh, that has hurt. Kumar slips in a really full ball, on middle. Phillips drills it back at the bowler. The ball hits Bhuvi on the right thumb as he tries to make the stop. It trickles towards mid on and the batters think about the second but Shreyas Iyer gets to the ball quickly from extra cover. Just a single then.

Banged in short, over off. Phillips hops and gets his hands high to drag the pull to the left of deep square leg before coming back charging for the second run.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar comes back on. 0/21 in Bhuvi's 2 overs so far.

Slightly full and outside the off stump, Bevon presses forward and creams it to the right of the cover fielder. Shreyas Iyer sprints to his left from long off and mops it up in the deep. Two runs taken.

The ball is back of a length and outside off, at 126 kph, and Jacobs skips down the track, aiming to muscle it across the line. Gets it off the inner half of the bat and it trickles through mid-wicket for two more.

Wide! Short and over the head, 123 kph. Bevon lets it through.

Good length, outside off, Phillips hits it crisply through cover-point but there's a man patrolling the fence there. So just a single. GP grunts in frustration as he cannot put that away in the gap.

In the air... lands safely! Good running. It’s a ball at 121 kph, short of a length and outside off, and he tries to muscle it over mid-wicket. All he gets is a top edge, and the ball goes skywards before dropping into no man’s land, where nobody is close enough to make anything of it. The batters cruise back for the second.

Good-length delivery, nipping in, Jacobs looks to punch it down the ground. Gets a thick inside edge through mid-wicket for a single. 150 up for New Zealand!

On a length and outside the off stump. Jacobs stands tall and punches it to the left of long off for a couple.

Nitish Kumar Reddy (2-0-17-0) returns to the attack.

FOUR! KABOOM! A bit short on the stumps, Phillips uses the depth of the crease and smokes it gun-barrel straight down the ground. Before anyone could move a muscle, it speeds to the ropes.

FOUR! Sloppy, really sloppy by Prince Yadav. Short and wide outside off, and Phillips is waiting for it. He slaps it hard towards deep cover, where Prince Yadav, on as a substitute, makes a complete mess of the pick-up. The ball squirts through his fingers and runs away to the rope. Prince turns back and tries to flick the ball back into play, but it kisses the fence as he bumps into the advertisement boards behind the ropes. The replay confirms the same.

FOUR! Up and over! Powerful hit by GP. Dropped short by Patel, on off, Glenn Phillips gets back and across before pulling it over mid-wicket. It goes one bounce and into the fence for a four.

The under-cutter, on a good length, Jacobs lets the ball drift and whips it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Darted in, on a length, on the stumps, Jacobs is pegged back and looks to work across but gets an inside edge onto the thigh pad.

Floated full, on leg, Glenn Phillips mistimes the lofted shot off the toe end, and it drops well in front of long on for a single.

Spin back on through Axar Patel. 3-0-37-1 so far for Axar.

Short of a length, slanted outside off with pace taken off, 117 kph. Glenn throws his bat at it and slaps it to deep cover-point for a single.

Nearly a yorker on the stumps, Jacobs whips it through mid-wicket. The initial call is for two but it is timed well and it races to the fielder quickly. So they stay content with a single.

Wide! A sizzling bumper, but it's too high, over the head. Jacobs sways away, drops his wrists and lets it fly back to the keeper.

A bit too full, 131 kph, around off, Glenn carves it back past the non-striker for a single. Jacobs had to hop to let the ball through his legs.

Slower one, short at 120 kph, on top of off, Jacobs stands tall and tries to swat it down the ground but it hits the cue end of the bat and goes back past the bowler for one.

SIX! My word, he has picked the bones out of it! Half-volley by Arshdeep, around the off stump, Bevon Jacobs leaves nothing in the tank and unleashes a massive hit down the ground for a mammoth six. Insane bat swing, no sighters needed for Jacobs. Some way to get off the mark.

The hard-hitting Bevon Jacobs walks in at number 5.

OUT! STRAIGHT UP AND CAUGHT! Arshdeep returns and strikes big in his 100th T20I. Mitchell did get a start but he struggled to find the right timing and perishes. It is banged in hard, landing on leg stump and then angling across the right-hander, Daryl sets himself for the pull. He swings hard across the line but only gets a top edge and the ball spirals straight up into the air towards short third. Bhuvneshwar Kumar lurks underneath it and swallows a straightforward catch. New Zealand are 122/3 in 12.1 overs.

Arshdeep Singh (2-0-25-0) has been brought back.

Great shot, excellent fielding. Good cricket. Full and on the stumps, it seems to be another pace-off delivery. Glenn Phillips clears the front leg and hammers it down the ground, trying to bisect long on and long off, but Tilak from the latter position is quick to get across and save a couple of runs for his side. Two taken. 36 runs in the last 3 overs for New Zealand, as this partnership is now worth 42 runs.

SIX! Take that, says Phillips. Serves it right into the wheelhouse. A juicy half-volley on middle, Glenn Phillips picks the slower one, drops the back knee into the pitch and slog-sweeps it massively, dumping it into the crowd behind deep square leg for half a dozen runs.

Rolls his fingers over the ball, it is the leg-cutter, full on middle, Mitchell mistimes his lofted shot in the air, but it goes on the bounce to the right of long on for a single.

Well-directed short ball, outside the off stump, Mitchell tries to slash it over backward point but the ball springs up off the surface and beats his angled bat.

Back of a length, a slower one at 120 kph, on off. Daryl Mitchell mistimes the pull shot over wide mid on and they get back for the second run as the long on fielder cuts it off.

Fuller in length, 128 kph, around off, Glenn Phillips blasts it powerfully to deep cover-point for a single.

Nitish Kumar Reddy is back with a change of ends.

FOUR MORE! Smart batting from Mitchell! Mayank goes short and outside off at a searing pace. Daryl Mitchell waits back, uses the pace and effortlessly ramps it over the leaping short third fielder for another four.

FOUR! Fantastic shot! Back of a length, bashed hard into the pitch, on the stumps. Daryl Mitchell makes room by opening his stance and hammers it through the gap between deep square leg and deep mid-wicket for a cracking four.

Slower ball, on a length, pulled off the back foot to deep square leg for a single.

DROPPED! Abhishek puts down an absolute dolly. Fuller than a length, angling on middle and leg. Daryl Mitchell gets his front leg out of the way and tries to smoke it over long on but fails to get the timing right. It is hit hard off the toe end and goes flat towards Abhishek Sharma at long on. Sharma gets low to catch but it just pops out of his grasp and drops down. One run taken, but a huge lifeline for Mitchell. Could prove really costly in the end for the Indians.

Full and lasered on the middle stump, Glenn Phillips plays with a straight bat and drives it down the ground. Abhishek Sharma swoops to his left with a slide and makes a good stop. With that single, the 100 is up for New Zealand in 10.2 overs.

The call is for two, but they will have to settle for one only. Back of a length, on leg, angling in, Daryl tucks it with soft hands through widish square leg and they sprint for the first run. The sub fielder, Prince Yadav, is quick to charge in off the ropes and prevent the second run from being taken.

Drinks Break! We are halfway through the first innings, and New Zealand are placed nicely at 98/2 for a very strong finish. India, though, have made a slight comeback since the restrictions have been lifted. They have conceded 33 runs in the last four overs with a wicket. But they will have to keep picking up wickets to contain the batting might of the Kiwis. The alliance between Mitchell and Phillips is developing steadily, and they will now look to switch gears with plenty of wickets in hand. 200, at this point, is very much possible. Mayank Yadav to bowl after the break.

SIX! Banged away. A quiet over turns into a productive one for New Zealand with this hit. On a length, angled in on middle from around the wicket. Phillips dances down the track and reaches the pitch. Thumps it back over the sight screen for an 86-metre maximum. 12 runs off the 10th over.

A bit fuller and a bit of air given, on middle. Mitchell presses forward and looks to launch it downtown. Miscues it off the inner half square on the leg side for a run.

Speared in on a good length, on middle. Mitchell shimmies down the track and tucks it in the vacant mid-wicket region. He calls for two and they make it before the throw comes in from the deep by Naman Dhir.

On a good length, on the off stump. Phillips punches it to deep cover for another single.

Low full toss, on off. Mitchell wrists it to long on and crosses over.

Slanting in at the hips. Phillips nudges it behind square leg and takes the first run hard. Mitchell sets off for the second run before being sent back and rightly so, as Arshdeep Singh was quick to get on the ball.

Keeps the stumps in play, on a length. Phillips pushes at the ball with hard hands. Gets it off the inner half behind square leg. Ishan Kishan runs in off the ropes and keeps the batters down to a single. A tidy first over from Reddy, just 5 runs off it.

Full and straight on off, Mitchell tries to smoke it over long on by clearing his front leg, but gets it off the toe end and it rolls to widish long on for a single.

Not all that short, on off. Phillips hangs back and plays the short-arm jab towards deep mid-wicket. They cross.

Pushes the length up, on off. Mitchell plays a wristy drive towards long on and rotates the strike.

Angled in at the sticks, on a good length. Phillips plays it with soft hands towards the vacant mid on region and calls for two straight away. They eventually settle with a single as Reddy hunts down the ball himself.

At 131 kph, full and on the off stump. Phillips pushes it to cover.

Nitish Kumar Reddy is brought into the attack, replacing Mayank Yadav.

Skidding through in line with the off stump, on a nagging length. Glenn taps it wide of cover and gets off the mark with a single.

Flat and short, on off. Glenn Phillips tucks it to mid-wicket.

A great comeback by Axar as he breaks the 31-run stand. Two relatively new batters at the crease now, as Glenn Phillips arrives at number 4. India will look to squeeze in a few quiet overs to slow things down.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Axar Patel has the last laugh in his battle against Finn Allen. No roar or big celebration from Axar, who simply raises his right hand after the catch is taken. Axar bowls it slower through the air, on the shorter side, on off. Allen backs away towards the leg side and sets up to go down the ground with a horizontal bat. Ends up slicing it high in the air and only gets the height and not the distance. Tilak Varma settles under the skier and takes the catch close to his chest. New Zealand are 2 down for 80.

Darted in, on a good length, on middle. Mitchell pushes it to long on for a single.

This is slowed down and the length is dragged back, on off. A bit of grip and turn as Allen chips it back over Axar and takes a single.

SIX! Axar Patel is being taken to the cleaners here. Floated up, on off. Allen makes room for himself and gets under the ball to slam it back over the bowler's head for half a dozen.

Gets away with it. Short and wide on off, there to be put away. Mitchell cuts but picks out Axar Patel at backward point.

What happened there? Another bumper, on off. Allen takes on the short ball and tries to clear the long boundary on the leg side. Gets it more off the toe end as the ball flies flat towards deep square leg. Ishan Kishan tries to get in off the ropes and stumbles a bit but manages to stay on his feet and sticks out his right hand over his head to make the stop. Just a single. Even without the stumble, the ball was not going to carry to Kishan.

At 136 kph, on a good length, outside off. Allen walks across for the scoop but does not connect.

FOUR! Straight as an arrow. Change-up by Mayank as he takes pace off, on a length, on off. Allen picks the slower one and opens up the front hip. He pauses his bat swing before pumping it back over the bowler's head.

Wide. Dug in short, over off, too high. Allen lets it go as the ball sails over his head.

Mayank pitches it up, on off. Allen gets his hands through the line and picks the bones out of it as he slams it down the deck. Hits it too straight as the ball crashes into the stumps at the bowling end.

Yadav bashes the hard length, on off. Mitchell shuffles across and drops it beside the strip on the leg side for a single.

That's the end of the Powerplay. New Zealand have bossed it up as they are motoring at 10.83. India have got a wicket, but they will feel that they have leaked a few too many runs. The field spreads now, and Mayank Yadav continues.

Darted in at the pads, on the shorter side. Daryl tucks it to the left of square leg for a single to close out the Powerplay. Despite a quiet first couple of overs, New Zealand finish the Powerplay at 65/1.

Missed out. Low full toss, on off, there to be put away with the field up on the off side. Mitchell knocks it to cover without much timing.

SIX! No sighters needed for Mitchell. Straighter from Axar, on a good length, on middle. Mitchell dances down the track and extends his hands into the lofted hit, clearing the long on fence with relative ease.

Good hustle! Flat and sliding on with the arm, fractionally arm, on the off stump. Allen makes room to force it through the off side. He slaps it towards extra cover, where the fielder gives chase and makes a half stop, taking the sting out of the shot. Ishan Kishan from cover gives chase and hauls it in with a slide. Three runs taken.

SIX! Lovely extension of the arms. A bit of air given, full and around the off stump. Allen makes room for himself and with a clean swing of the arms, he thumps it over long off for a biggie. The 50 comes up for New Zealand.

Pushed through, on a length. Allen leans back and powers the drive straight to mid off.

India have their first breakthrough. Daryl Mitchell is in at number 3. First look at spin as Axar Patel comes on to bowl.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Mayank gets the reward for his disciplined bowling. Slams it really hard into the pitch, outside the off stump. Tim Seifert opens the body by clearing the front leg and tries to hammer it down the ground but the ball nips away, takes the feather off the outside edge and nestles into Sanju Samson's gloves behind the stumps. A huge breakthrough for the tourists and New Zealand are 49/1.

Swing and a miss! Hits the length hard, outside the off stump. Tim slashes hard to carve it over point but the ball kicks up and zips over the angled bat.

Spears it full at 144 kph, outside the off stump. Tim Seifert shuffles outside off, and tries to play the scoop shot but he is purely beaten by the excessive pace. Good heat from Mayank.

Cannons it on a good length, on the leg stump, 139 kph. Finn Allen hops back to create room and knocks it to the mid on region for a single.

Mayank Yadav feels the landing area is a bit greasy and has asked for some sawdust.

Short of a length, on top of off, Finn Allen controls the pull shot over mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Starts with a full toss, on the leg stump, Finn Allen drives it to mid on. The replay shows that his bat actually twisted at the point of contact.

34 runs off the last 2 overs, and the Kiwis are flying. Time for the express pace of Mayank Yadav.

FOUR! Shot of the match so far! Pitched short by Singh, angling away, Tim Seifert stands tall and smashes it over the extra cover fielder for a cracking boundary. Attack from both ends now.

Too full and wide outside off, Finn Allen collapses his back knee a bit and carves it through cover-point for a single. They look for the second, but Seifert slips at the batting end, so they settle with just one in the end.

Much better! Back to over the stumps and this is bashed hard on top of middle, Finn Allen watchfully stabs it back to the bowler.

FOUR! A bit uppish, but through the gap! Singh comes from around the stumps and pushes it outside off, on a fuller length and it holds the line. Finn Allen leans on it and blasts it over and to the left of the diving Tilak Varma at extra cover for four more.

FOUR! Off the edge! On a back of a length, swinging in, around off, Finn Allen hangs back and tries to slash it over point again, but gets a thick outside edge and the ball flies over the short third fielder for another boundary. It's raining fours at the moment and the momentum has flipped towards the hosts in a matter of just a few deliveries.

FOUR! Oh, a loosener from Arshdeep and it gets the treatment! Slips in a full toss, far outside off, Finn Allen throws his bat at it and carves it over backward point for a boundary.

SIX! HIGH AND HANDSOME! That's on the roof. Fuller than a length, on middle and leg, Tim Seifert picks the length early, clears his front leg away and smokes it over long on for a massive six. A huge over for the Kiwis, as 17 runs come from it.

FOUR! That's a shot of authority from Seifert! Kumar bangs it short and angles it in, Tim Seifert waits for it to arrive and nails the pull shot over mid-wicket. One bounce and into the fence. Well struck.

Keeps it tight on a good length, angled into the bodyline, Finn Allen hangs back and tucks it between mid-wicket and mid on for a single.

Not all that short, outside off, Seifert dances down the track and smashes it down the ground but Shreyas Iyer flings himself to his right from mid off and saves a certain boundary there. Just one run.

Swing and a miss! Good length, curving in a long way from outside off. Seifert clears the front leg, swings across the line and gets beaten.

FOUR! Edgy, but will do! Bhuvneshwar goes for the yorker outside off, and gets a decent outswing. Tim Seifert throws his bat at it to access the off side, but gets a massive outside edge and it rifles between the keeper and short third for a boundary.

Back of a length, shaping in and cramping the batter for room. Seifert looks to pull but fails to connect. Samson dives to his left and gathers it safely. But hang on! Bhuvi has overstepped here and it is a No Ball. Seifert will face the Free Hit.

Swings away from off, on a fullish length. Allen walks a step forward, tries to drop and run to the off side, but ends up chopping it just past the off stump.

Big booming inswing, almost a yorker at the toes. Tim Seifert backs away and jams it down to mid on for a nervy single. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has a shy at the bowling end but misses.

Pulls his length back, and gets it to swing in on off, Allen hops on the toes and taps it between cover and point for a single.

FOUR! A shot of high class and that's the first four of the series! A long half-volley by Arshdeep, around the off stump, swinging in. Finn Allen gets on the front foot and belts it to the right of the diving mid off fielder for a boundary.

Pitched full on leg, curving on middle, Seifert whips it to the left of deep square leg for a single.

Shapes in on the pads, full in length, Allen strokes it down to long on for a single.

Arshdeep Singh will bowl from the other end in his 100th T20I. Bhuvneshwar Kumar got enough movement in the air, and Arshdeep should get some assistance too. The big question, though, is how long the swing will last.

Short of a length, outside the off stump. Tim Seifert rides the bounce and knocks it through the gap between cover and mid off for a couple of runs. An action-packed opening over, perfectly setting the tone.

An inswinging delivery, full in length, Seifert pushes it to extra cover.

Looks like Tim Seifert's pads have given way, and he has asked for a replacement.

Plenty of action already! Seifert survives by the skin of his teeth, but only after a nervy wait upstairs. Finn gets forward to a slightly full ball around off that curves away and dabs it to backward point for a single. Seifert hesitates, stops, then sets off and has to dive. Axar attacks the ball by running forward, with his left hand, fires in an underarm throw and finds the stumps at the striker’s end, so the umpire goes to the TV official. The replay is tight. The face of Seifert’s bat pops up as he slides in, but the shoulder is down and inside the line before the bails come off.

Direct hit! No real excitement from any of the Indian players, and Tim Seifert looks to be home with the dive. The bat does seem to bounce off the shoulder, but some part of it is grounded inside the crease. NOT OUT flashes on the big screen.

Back of a length, around off, a hint of away shape. Seifert punches it hard to widish mid off for a single to get off the mark.

Swing and a miss! This one shapes back in sharply with extra bounce on a length. Tim Seifert swings with all his might to pull it over the leg side, only to get beaten on the inside edge. There's a slight appeal from Kumar, but no one else appeals.

Beaten! Bhuvi is on the money straightaway. Lovely seam presentation. On a length, closer to the off stump, with a good outswing. Seifert pokes at it a bit loosely and gets beaten on the outside edge.

We are all set for the action to get underway in front of a sell-out crowd. The atmosphere is buzzing, and the fans have turned up in numbers for this one. Shreyas Iyer leads his troops out onto the park, while the power-packed duo of Finn Allen and Tim Seifert make their way out to open the innings for the Black Caps. On his return, Bhuvneshwar Kumar will kickstart proceedings with the new ball. Seifert is on strike. There is a slip in place. The countdown is done and away we go...

New Zealand legend Stephen Fleming rings the bell with just minutes to go before the first ball. The two teams and the match officials make their way out to the middle to a traditional welcome. India’s national anthem will be played first, followed by New Zealand’s.

In conversation with Sanju Samson - Sanju says the travel was really nice, noting that as an Indian player, you get that luxury of being well taken care of, with everything being very nice. He says the more you play, the better, and that at this stage of their careers they love coming in, coming out and playing for the country more, so he is very much excited. Adds that coming to New Zealand is always refreshing, with good people, good climate and a good atmosphere to come and play a great brand of cricket. On how being an Indian cricketer compares to four or five years ago, Samson says you definitely need to find your own patterns and your own mental state, as everyone has their own mantras to be at their best mentally. He feels it took him a while, but he can now say he found his own way to enjoy himself here. On Stephen Fleming mentioning that he took up painting during the IPL, Samson jokes that he was probably too bored playing under him, which is why he took up painting. He says it was going really well during the IPL, but now he has many things to consider while he is here, so he is enjoying his time.

India (Playing XI) - Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan (WK), Shreyas Iyer (C), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh and 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, Adam Milne and Lockie Ferguson.

The captain of New Zealand - Mitchell Santner says they would have bowled first as well. Notes that it's a fresh pitch and they will now look to put a big score on the board. On the team coming back together after a while, Santner says it has been good, though pretty busy. Santner says the guys have gotten back into camp and are really excited for a big series, calling an all-three-format tour against India a cool one. He notes that a lot of the players have been playing overseas and training, but everyone is ready to go now. On the team combination, Santner notes that a couple of guys are not here, but feels the depth they have at the moment is really good. He confirms that Duffy, Kyle Jamieson and Conway miss out, and says they are going with four seamers. On Daryl Mitchell batting at three and Bevon Jacobs getting an opportunity at five, Santner says Jacobs has shown what he can do for a period of time now. He feels Jacobs has the power and is a very good middle-order player, and calls it a good series for him to test himself against a very good team on some good wickets.

The Indian captain - Shreyas Iyer opts to bowl first, citing the quick turnaround, and they want to get an idea of how the wicket is playing. Shares that some of the players took a little time to get accustomed to the conditions and the time difference, but there are no complaints, as they are all professionals. Iyer believes that there were plenty of positives with both bat and ball from the West Indies series, and he wants the team to carry the same attitude into this series. Informs that they have two changes from the last game against West Indies in Bengaluru, with Nitish Kumar Reddy and Mayank Yadav coming into the side.

TOSS - It's time for the coin to go up in Christchurch. The two captains - Shreyas Iyer and Mitchell Santner - are out in the middle, with Simon Doull leading the proceedings. Santner gives it a flick. Tails is the call from Shreyas, and he calls it right. India have elected to BOWL first.

Weather watch - Sweaters, beanies and hand-warmers are the first things you notice here, and they are not there for show. It is the beginning of summer in this part of the world, but the evenings still bite, and with the Hagley Oval open on all sides, the wind has the run of the place. What does that mean? The seamers would be licking their lips. A swirling breeze and a shiny new ball are the kind of company they dream of, and the batters will have to earn their first few runs the hard way.

Selection headaches - Arguably, T20I is the format where the batters have ruled the narrative, but bowling will be of prime focus here and both sides know it. India lean on Arshdeep Singh, the returning Bhuvneshwar Kumar and one of the Yadavs, Mayank or Prince, as the three seamers, with Axar Patel as the left-arm spin option. That leaves a straight choice between Varun Chakaravarthy’s mystery and Kuldeep Yadav’s wrist spin for the last slot. New Zealand have the opposite problem. A strong pace attack featuring Matt Henry, Nathan Smith, Lockie Ferguson, Kyle Jamieson and the returning Adam Milne, with Mitchell Santner holding the spin end. The only question for them is who misses out. Well, we shall get to know pretty soon, as the toss and teams are up next. So stick with us.

No rest for the jet-lagged - It’s not been hunky-dory for the Men in Blue either. The Shreyas Iyer era has begun on a bumpy road. Two big away series defeats - in Ireland and England - followed by a series stalemate against West Indies at home. Of course, a gold medal at the Asian Games was a huge boost, but the struggles have been hard to ignore. Now, with a couple of their most indispensable names - Hardik and Bumrah - missing, India step into a serious examination far from home. Several experienced names have been here, but most of the 16-man squad are also making their first tour of this part of the world, so adjusting to unfamiliar conditions, with no time to shake off the jet lag, will be a challenge in itself.

Scores to settle on home turf - Ask New Zealand about India in the longer formats, and they will proudly and deservedly point to their Test and ODI series wins on Indian soil, a record that has earned the Black Caps enormous respect. The T20 story reads differently. In the most recent series, played in India, they were crushed by 1-4. In fact, they have lost both bilateral series at home since 2020. Then came the evening in Ahmedabad, where the Men in Blue defended their World Cup title in commanding style against these very opponents. That final was the last time the two sides met, and today New Zealand carry that memory into their own backyard, where home conditions and familiar surfaces offer their best chance yet to change the T20 narrative, with a near full-strength squad led by Mitchell Santner.

The odyssey begins - Hello and welcome to our coverage from the faraway realms of the Land of the Long White Cloud! Two world cricket powerhouses meet for a comprehensive month-and-a-half tour that will weave through New Zealand's most iconic venues. Both teams face a demanding itinerary, starting with a rapid-fire five-game T20I sprint, advancing into a pivotal five-match ODI stretch which will mark the beginning of the next year’s World Cup preps, and concluding with two Tests. The curtain rises in Christchurch, with Hagley Oval hosting the opening pair of T20Is before the teams map the length and breadth of the country. So tag along, as this ride’s gonna be really exciting.

... MATCH DAY ...

Old rivals, new battles - India and New Zealand have developed quite a rivalry in recent years, with the pendulum swinging between the two sides depending on the format. The Men in Blue had the last laugh in the 2025 Champions Trophy final and the T20 World Cup final earlier this year, but the Kiwis have had plenty of their own moments in recent years. New Zealand stunned India with a historic 3-0 sweep in Tests on Indian soil in 2024, having also beaten them in the inaugural World Test Championship final in 2021. They then added a first-ever ODI series win in India earlier this year. So while India have collected the big white-ball trophies, the Black Caps have given them plenty to think about across formats. With five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests on the itinerary, there is plenty to look forward to as the rivalry resumes across all three formats. The tour kicks off at the Hagley in Christchurch with the first two T20Is before moving through Wellington, Auckland and Hamilton. Black Caps back together - New Zealand return to T20I action for the first time since their tour of Bangladesh in May. While their players have remained busy in franchise leagues around the world, this series gives them an opportunity to come together as a unit and find their rhythm again. The squad is not too dissimilar from the one that reached the T20 World Cup final earlier this year, with Mitchell Santner continuing to lead the side. The five-match series is a welcome change from the usual three-game assignment, giving the Black Caps more breathing room to recover if they don't hit the ground running. Pace, pace and more pace - The first thing that stands out about this squad is the sheer depth in the pace department. New Zealand have picked 7 fast bowlers, with Adam Milne returning to the international setup after more than a year away. The 34-year-old missed the T20 World Cup through injury, and his comeback adds serious pace to an attack that already features Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Jacob Duffy, Nathan Smith and Blair Tickner. It is an embarrassment of riches for the hosts, although managing those resources will be just as important, with five ODIs and two Tests still to follow on the tour. Fireworks at the top - There is plenty to look forward to with the bat, too. Finn Allen and Tim Seifert reunite at the top, and that is a combination capable of putting any bowling attack under pressure. Allen's explosive approach makes him a major threat in the powerplay, while Seifert brings plenty of experience and an attacking game of his own. He also arrives with confidence after an outstanding run in The Hundred, where he finished as the leading run-scorer and was named Player of the Tournament. Making the start count - Devon Conway provides a more measured option in the top order, while Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell are central to New Zealand's middle-order plans. Bevon Jacobs and Josh Clarkson offer further power-hitting options, and the hosts will want their middle order to ensure that an aggressive start does not go to waste. Rachin Ravindra is the notable absentee, having dislocated his right shoulder during a promotional shoot. New Zealand will be hopeful that the all-rounder recovers in time to feature in the ODI leg, where his batting and spin-bowling contributions will be valuable. Balance restored - The return of Michael Bracewell is a significant boost. The all-rounder missed the T20 World Cup through injury, but his inclusion gives New Zealand another option with both bat and ball. Alongside Santner, he can help provide balance to the side, allowing the hosts to field a varied attack without compromising their batting depth. A mixed start for Iyer - After series defeats in Ireland and England at the start of Shreyas Iyer's tenure, India bounced back with wins against Zimbabwe and Afghanistan, along with gold at the Asian Games. However, the recent series against the West Indies would have given the team plenty to think about, with questions around their combinations and consistency coming to the fore ahead of a challenging tour of New Zealand. The opening puzzle - Abhishek Sharma remains one of India’s most destructive options in the powerplay, and his ability to put bowlers under pressure from the outset will be particularly important against a New Zealand attack packed with pace. His opening partner, Sanju Samson, has had a boom-or-bust run, producing some impactful performances but struggling to find consistency. He will be keen to put together a sustained run of scores and cement his place at the top. Ishan Kishan adds to the batting firepower for the Men in Blue, and how the opening pair fares could well decide whether Vaibhav Sooryavanshi gets a look-in. Depth and flexibility - Shreyas Iyer's own role will be interesting. He has the experience to anchor the innings and the ability to accelerate when the situation demands it, but he will also need to manage a batting group that is built around attacking intent. Tilak Varma brings composure and versatility, while Shivam Dube is an important option against spin in the middle overs. Nitish Kumar Reddy and Naman Dhir add all-round depth, giving India the flexibility to adjust their combination depending on the conditions. Bhuvi is back - The bowling attack has a compelling mix of experience and raw pace. Arshdeep Singh remains a key figure with the new ball and at the death, but the return of Bhuvneshwar Kumar is the big story. His ability to swing the ball and make early inroads could be especially useful in New Zealand, where the conditions can assist seamers. At 36, he also brings considerable international experience to a group that includes Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav. India also have two quality spin options in Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav, with Axar Patel offering control and all-round value. Form (Last 5 completed T20Is, recent first) - NZ - WLLLW | IND - LWLWW. What to expect? Hagley Oval has traditionally been a venue where the seamers come into play, but the pitch is generally good enough for batting. Scores in the previous two T20Is here were on the higher side, but they were not chased down, which is worth keeping in mind. Who are you backing? New Zealand haven't had the best of records in T20Is at home lately, winning just 1 of their last 4 home series. India, meanwhile, will take confidence from their previous visits, having won the T20I series on their last two tours of New Zealand. The two sides last met in a T20I series in the country in 2022, and the visitors will be keen to extend that run, while the Black Caps will be eager to turn their fortunes around on home soil.