CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand — Sanju Samson smashed a breathtaking 67 off just 33 balls as India chased down New Zealand’s 225-5 to secure a thrilling four-wicket victory in the first of five Twenty20 internationals on Thursday.
Samson’s explosive knock laid the foundation for India’s record-breaking chase of 230-6, surpassing their previous highest successful T20 run chase of 211 against Sri Lanka in 2009. India sealed the victory with two balls to spare.
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Opening the innings alongside Abhishek Sharma, Samson helped India race to 93 runs in just 5.5 overs. He reached his half-century in 23 balls, launching four towering sixes into the stands at Hagley Oval as a crowd dominated by Indian supporters erupted in celebration.
Sharma contributed 29 off 12 deliveries, including three sixes, as India surged to 94-1 in the six-over powerplay, comfortably surpassing New Zealand’s 65-1 at the same stage.
Earlier, Glenn Phillips produced a brilliant unbeaten 82 off 40 balls to propel New Zealand to a formidable total of 225-5 after the hosts were asked to bat first. His innings featured eight fours and three sixes, giving India a challenging target.
New Zealand fought back after introducing spin, with Michael Bracewell dismissing Sharma in the sixth over before Mitchell Santner removed Samson in the ninth. India subsequently slipped to 122-4, briefly raising hopes of a home-team comeback.
Captain Shreyas Iyer scored 42, while Axar Patel added 24 to steady the innings with a 45-run partnership for the fifth wicket. With 55 runs required from the final five overs, Naman Dhir delivered a decisive finishing performance, smashing 42 off just 15 balls at a remarkable strike rate of 280.
India needed eight runs from the final over bowled by Matt Henry. Dhir struck the opening delivery for four, followed by two singles, before launching a six to complete the chase and seal a memorable victory.
New Zealand had made an aggressive start with Finn Allen scoring 45 and Tim Seifert adding 24 in an opening partnership of 49 during the first five overs. Daryl Mitchell contributed 28, while Bevon Jacobs scored 31 to maintain the scoring momentum before Phillips’ late assault lifted the hosts to 225-5.
Despite arriving in New Zealand only on Tuesday and completing just one training session, India showed little sign of fatigue as they produced a remarkable batting display.
Reflecting on the victory, Samson said: “When you are just in the moment when the match has been won, I think whatever contributions you make it always feels good to end up on the winning side. It was really a team game today.”
Samson’s innings further underlined his outstanding T20 form, marking his eighth score of 50 or more in 26 T20 innings this year.
The victory gives India an early advantage in the five-match series and sets the stage for an exciting contest against New Zealand.
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