Visakhapatnam, January 28, 2026 — New Zealand produced a dominant all-round performance to defeat India by 50 runs in the fourth T20I, registering their first win of the five-match series and denting the hosts’ unbeaten run.
After opting to field first, India were put under immediate pressure as New Zealand’s openers launched a blistering Powerplay assault. Tim Seifert led the charge with a fiery 62 off just 36 balls, helping the visitors race to 71 without loss in the first six overs. Although India managed to slow the scoring briefly in the middle overs, Daryl Mitchell’s late surge powered New Zealand to a formidable total of 215.
In reply, India’s chase never gained momentum. Abhishek Sharma fell for a golden duck on the very first ball, setting the tone for a disappointing batting display. The top order struggled against disciplined bowling, with regular wickets halting any comeback hopes. Shivam Dube was the lone bright spot for India, smashing a valiant 65 off 23 balls, but his effort proved insufficient as the hosts were bowled out well short of the target.
New Zealand’s bowling attack delivered collectively, with skipper Mitchell Santner leading from the front by claiming three wickets. Matt Henry struck early and consistently, while the fielding unit backed the bowlers by converting key chances.
Seifert was named Player of the Match for his explosive innings. New Zealand captain Santner praised the team’s aggressive Powerplay approach, calling it ideal preparation ahead of the T20 World Cup.
The fifth and final T20I will be played in Thiruvananthapuram on January 31, where both teams are expected to fine-tune their combinations before the global tournament.