The key facts

  • India chased 226 runs — a T20 record; the previous record was 211 against Sri Lanka in 2009
  • Samson 67 (33); Abhishek Sharma and Samson put on 93 in the powerplay
  • Glenn Phillips 82* for New Zealand; Naman Dhir 42 off 15 balls took India to victory

India's record chase in Christchurch

India defeated New Zealand by four wickets in Christchurch, setting a T20 record — the highest successful chase in the history of the format — by chasing down a target of 226 runs. The match was a repeat of the 2026 T20 World Cup final. India, who had beaten Sri Lanka with a chase of 211 in 2009, now lead 1-0 in the five-match series.

Explosive start from Samson and Sharma

Opener Sanju Samson scored 67 runs off 33 balls, and together with fellow opener Abhishek Sharma they put on 93 runs in the powerplay, dismantling New Zealand's seam attack. 'We talk a lot out in the middle, but actually none of it really means anything. We just hit the ball and hit it hard. It's working really well, and I really enjoy batting with him at the top,' Samson said of his partnership with Sharma.

New Zealand's resistance

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner checked India's surge, conceding just three economical overs in the middle of the innings alongside spinner Michael Bracewell — the pair took four wickets in five overs. India captain Shreyas Iyer kept his cool after the loss of Samson (who sliced a ball from Santner onto his own stumps), finding boundaries when needed. He left the field with 42 runs off 28 balls in the second-to-last over. Naman Dhir finished the chase with 42 runs off just 15 balls.

New Zealand's first innings

India won the toss and chose to bowl, expecting evening dew while chasing. Finn Allen and Tim Seifert started quickly, with New Zealand reaching 65-1 by the end of the powerplay. Allen scored 45 off 24 balls (five fours and two sixes) before falling to Axar Patel in the eighth over. Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell combined well, forcing India's bowlers to change their lengths. Mitchell was dropped by Abhishek on 16 but soon fell for 28 runs, top-edging Arshdeep Singh. Bevon Jacobs hit a 96-metre six with his very first ball, scoring 31 off 16 balls. Phillips finished the innings unbeaten on 82, applying pressure with running between the wickets.

Next match

The second game of the series will also be played in Christchurch, on Saturday.