India chase 226 to win first T20I in Christchurch

Sanju Samson’s 67 and Naman Dhir’s 15‑ball 42 powered India to a four‑wicket win over New Zealand in the opening T20I.

By Felo News Desk · Published Thu, 22 Oct 2026 14:15:51 GMT

India edged New Zealand by four wickets in the first T20I at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval on Thursday, chasing down 226 with two balls to spare, according to Gulf News and Sportskeeda.

What happened

New Zealand posted 225/4, anchored by an unbeaten 82 off 40 balls from Glenn Phillips, with Finn Allen adding 45 off 24 and Bevon Jacobs 31 off 16, as reported by Sportskeeda. India’s reply began with an opening partnership of 93 runs between Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma. Samson reached his half‑century in 23 balls, scoring 67 off 33 with eight fours and four sixes, while Sharma contributed a quick 29 off 12 before being dismissed by Michael Bracewell.

After a middle‑order wobble that saw Tilak Varma make six and Ishan Kishan fall for one, captain Shreyas Iyer steadied the chase with 42 off 28. Axar Patel added 24 off 14, and the required run rate climbed as New Zealand kept taking wickets. The finish came when 19‑year‑old Naman Dhir smashed an unbeaten 42 from just 15 balls, hitting five fours and two sixes at a strike rate of 280, taking India to 230/6 in 19.4 overs.

What the reports add

Gulf News highlighted the rapid start, noting that India needed 230 runs in 19.4 overs after the collapse, and that Dhir’s cameo sealed the win. Sportskeeda listed five records set by India, including the highest successful chase in the nation’s T20I history (226) and the second‑highest chase against New Zealand in the format.

What was said

Gulf News quoted the match commentary that Samson’s “explosive innings” set the tone, and described Dhir’s “sensational unbeaten 42” as the decisive factor. Sportskeeda reported that the chase “was the first time India successfully chased a total in excess of 220 in T20Is.”

How it came about

India elected to bowl first after winning the toss, a decision covered in Felo’s earlier report India elects to bowl after winning toss for first T20I in New Zealand. The tour, which began with the team’s arrival in Christchurch two days earlier, also featured a light‑hearted Malayalam tea exchange between Samson and KL Rahul, reported by Felo on 21 October (Sanju Samson and KL Rahul’s Malayalam tea banter delights fans in New Zealand). Samson’s recent form, including a 56‑ball fifty on 15 October (Sanju Samson scores 56 off 23 balls, joins Indian six‑hitting elite), set expectations for his aggressive start.