India beat Black Caps in high-scoring T20 thriller
Wednesday 21 October 2026 · 6 outlets · 20 reports · updated In this story Black Caps, Mitchell Santner, Glenn Phillips, Sky Sport, Michael Bracewell, Jacob Duffy
India secured a four-wicket victory over the Black Caps in the first of five T20 internationals at Hagley Oval. Chasing a target of 226, the tourists reached 230-6 with two balls remaining. Sanju Samson's 67 from 33 balls helped India set a record run-chase in T20 cricket.
Key facts
5 facts
- India defeated New Zealand by four wickets in the first T20I at Hagley Oval
- India set a new T20I record with a successful run chase of 230-6
- The 12-match tour consists of five T20Is, three ODIs, and two tests
- Glenn Phillips scored 82 not out from 40 balls for New Zealand
- Sanju Samson scored 67 from 33 balls for India
The full story
1 min read · 6 outlets
India secured a four-wicket victory over New Zealand in the first T20I at Hagley Oval, setting a new record for their highest successful run chase in the format. The tourists reached 230-6 in 19.4 overs to surpass New Zealand's total of 225-4. This chase exceeded India's previous best of 211 against Sri Lanka in 2009.
Sanju Samson led the Indian pursuit with 67 runs from 33 balls, including four sixes. He shared an opening partnership of 93 runs in 5.5 overs with Abhishek Sharma, who scored 29 from 12 balls. Naman Dhir then guided India home with an unbeaten 42 from 15 balls, hitting the 13th six of the innings.
New Zealand's innings featured an unbeaten 82 from 40 balls by Glenn Phillips, while Finn Allen contributed 45 from 24 balls. Bevon Jacobs added 31 from 16 balls. Despite the high scoring, New Zealand's seamers struggled, returning combined figures of 2-154 from 11.4 overs.
The match began the 12-game tour of New Zealand, which includes five T20Is, three ODIs, and two tests. India arrived without Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya, but the squad includes 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The tour follows a T20 World Cup final in March where India defeated the Black Caps by 96 runs.
How it developed
- Fri 23 Oct, 6:49amThe report detailed the specific partnership between Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel and the final over mechanics that secured the win.
Compiled from reports by The Post, RNZ, Otago Daily Times, Stuff, NZ Herald and 1News.
How they headlined it
-
The Post
-
RNZ
-
Otago Daily Times
Black Caps plot downfall of 'incredible' India teen at Hagley Oval (opens in new tab)
-
Stuff
- Prized India and Australia tests await as Black Caps begin huge summer (opens in new tab)
- Live: Black Caps v India - first T20 (opens in new tab)
- Glenn Phillips masterclass in vain as India’s heavy hitters bludgeon Black Caps in first T20 (opens in new tab)
- Black Caps player ratings: Tell us how they performed against the India (opens in new tab)
- Black Cap pushes back at Indian media over dropped catches (opens in new tab)
- Black Cap Glenn Phillips pushes back at Indian reporters over dropped catches during Hagley T20 (opens in new tab)
- India chase down 226 to beat Black Caps in Christchurch (opens in new tab)
-
NZ Herald
Black Caps v India Twenty20 series – All you need to know (opens in new tab)
-
1News
Live updates: Black Caps v India, first T20 (opens in new tab)
