Top-Order Collapse Costs India as New Zealand Clinch Fourth T20I by 50 Runs

Everything seemed to be going in India’s favour ahead of the fourth T20I. While there were no major concerns, some questions still lingered around Sanju Samson. Naturally, the wicketkeeper-batter was under the spotlight in Visakhapatnam. But once again, Sanju failed as an opener. He was not alone though. A careless performance from the top order left Team India struggling, and despite Shubman Dube’s lone fight, India could not recover. New Zealand defeated India by 50 runs in the fourth T20I.

After winning the toss for the fourth consecutive time, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav opted to field first. However, New Zealand made full use of the conditions. Their batters put the Indian bowlers under pressure and posted a strong total of 215 for 7 in 20 overs.

It all started with a blazing 100 runs opening partnership in just 8 overs by Davon Conway(44) & Tim Seifert (62) as both executed scintillating shots . It was a fiece onslaught on the Indian bowling . After Conway departed , Ravindra (2) fell cheappy to Bumrah . There was a slow down in the middle overs as wickets fell with Glenn Phillips contributing 24 but it was Daryll Mitchell towards the end who propelled the team to 215 with an array of explosive shots .

India’s chase got off to a disastrous start. On the very first ball, Abhishek Sharma tried to hit Matt Henry for a six but was caught at third man for a duck. Suryakumar Yadav, who had been in good form in the previous matches, also failed this time. He returned to the pavilion for 8 after offering a simple catch off Lockie Ferguson.

Sanju Samson, who had scored only 16 runs in the first three matches against New Zealand, started positively. He struck three boundaries and a six and built a small partnership with Rinku Singh. But after the powerplay, he lost momentum and was bowled by Mitchell Santner for 24. Hardik Pandya followed soon after, departing for just 2 runs.

Rinku Singh showed some promise, raising hopes of a comeback, but he too fell for 39 after misjudging a delivery from Foxcroft. With wickets falling regularly, India’s hopes rested solely on Shivam Dube.

As long as Dube was at the crease, there was belief. He played a breathtaking counter-attack, smashing 29 runs in one over off Ish Sodhi, including two fours and three massive sixes. Dube reached his half-century in just 15 balls, registering the third fastest T20I fifty by an Indian, behind Yuvraj Singh and Abhishek Sharma.

Unfortunately, luck was not on his side. Dube was run out in an unfortunate manner when Harshit Rana’s shot deflected off Henry’s hand and hit the stumps at the non-striker’s end. Dube’s brilliant knock of 65 off 23 balls came to an abrupt end.

From there, the writing was on the wall. India’s lower order collapsed like a house of cards, and the team was bowled out for 165. The heavy defeat ahead of the World Cup has raised several serious questions for Team India.