Visakhapatnam: Tim Seifert’s superb half-century and Mitchell Santner’s brilliant bowling helped New Zealand to a 50-run win in the fourth T20I of the five-match series against India.
New Zealand posted 215/7 thanks to a century between openers Seifert who scored 62 off 36 balls and Devon Conway who scored 44.
Santner led the bowling with figures of 3/26 as New Zealand skittled India out for 165, pulling one back after the hosts sealed the five-match series in the third game.
Both the teams now head into Saturday’s fifth match, a final tune-up before the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 kicks off on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka.
“There is no better preparation for the World Cup than playing in India,” said Santner.
“So, we’ve got two guys for the next game, which is good. But again, it’s about adjusting our plans, sorting out the roles we’re going to have in the cup.”
New Zealand got off to a strong start as Seifert picked off Arshdeep Singh in the opening over with three consecutive fours in the next over off Harshit Rana.
Conway took charge as New Zealand reached 100 in 8.1 overs, with Seifert reaching his half-century in 25 balls.
Left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav removed Conway as Ringu Singh took his first four catches of the innings.
Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Rachin Ravindra, caught and dismissed for 2 in the next over, and soon Arshdeep clipped Seifert’s tongue with his left-arm pace.
Kuldeep dismissed Glenn Phillips for 24 off 16 balls and suddenly New Zealand lost their way until Daryl Mitchell came on.
Mitchell scored an unbeaten 39 off 18 balls and boosted the Kiwi’s total with two fours and three sixes.
In reply, India lost swashbuckling opener Abhishek Sharma on the first ball, with Matt Henry drawing a top edge to third man.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav fell in the next over and was dismissed for 8 off Jacob Duffy.
Santner’s left-arm spin saw Sanju Samson (24) and Hardik Pandya as India slumped to 63-4.
Shivam Dubey scored 65 off 23 balls, with 7 sixes and 3 fours as he reached his fifty off 15 balls.
But he was unfortunately run out when a shot from Rana grazed Henry’s arm and deflected into the stumps at the non-striker’s end.
Wickets continued to fall, India’s innings folded in 18.4 overs, but Suryakumar said he would learn from the defeat.
Suryakumar said that we hope to chase again if we get another chance. “But at the end of the day, good learning.”