The fourth T20 International between India and New Zealand at Visakhapatnam’s ACA-VDCA Stadium witnessed history in the making. New Zealand’s batsmen unleashed fury, reaching the 100-run mark in a mere 8.1 overs – the quickest ever by any team against India in T20Is on these shores.
Devon Conway and Tim Seifert were the architects of this carnage. Conway’s 44 off 23 balls included four fours and three sixes, ending a thrilling knock just after the milestone. Seifert, anchoring the innings, motored to 62 off 36 with seven boundaries and three six-hitters, displaying impeccable timing and power.
This partnership equals the second-fastest century against India in T20 cricket and is New Zealand’s briskest against the Men in Blue. It revives memories of Conway’s 117-run stand with Finn Allen against Pakistan in 2022, the last time Kiwis hit a ton opening stand.
Suryakumar Yadav’s India lineup featured youth and experience: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson behind the stumps, Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Harshit Rana, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, and the lethal Jasprit Bumrah. Ishan Kishan’s minor niggle opened the door for Arshdeep.
New Zealand, skippered by Mitchell Santner, fielded Tim Seifert (wk), Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Zach Foulkes, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, and Jacob Duffy, replacing Kyle Jamieson with Foulkes for added variety.
With New Zealand setting a scorching pace, India’s bowlers face a stern test. This match could redefine T20 aggression, as both teams vie for supremacy in a series full of fireworks.