In a thrilling encounter at the ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam, Shivam Dube delivered a blistering half-century, but it wasn't enough to prevent a 50-run defeat against New Zealand in the fourth T20I. The match, part of the ongoing series, saw a commanding performance by the Kiwis who dominated the early game and kept India at bay throughout the contest.
New Zealand posted an impressive 215/7, thanks to a power-packed fifty from Tim Seifert and a useful cameo by Daryl Mitchell. Seifert's innings was a pivotal moment, setting a high target for India to chase. India, in response, struggled to build momentum, despite Shivam Dube's stellar performance which saw him smash 65 runs off just 32 balls, including three sixes and two fours, highlighting a record-setting over in the history of India-New Zealand T20I matches.
The match began with New Zealand asserting their dominance, with Matt Henry dismissing Abhishek Sharma for a golden duck and Jacob Duffy removing Suryakumar Yadav in the next over. India's top order crumbled under the pressure, with wickets falling regularly and the team struggling to recover. Shivam Dube's explosive batting provided some hope, but his dismissal at the non-striker's end proved to be a turning point, leading to a series of quick wickets that ultimately saw India bowled out for 165.
The 50-run defeat, New Zealand's first win in the series, has shifted the balance in their favor, putting them ahead 3-1 in the five-match T20I series. India, on the other hand, will need to regroup and strategize as they look to secure a win in the remaining matches. The series has showcased the depth and talent of both teams, with moments of brilliance and resilience on both sides.
