In a dramatic reversal of fortunes, New Zealand clinched a decisive 50-run victory against India in the fourth T20 international held in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday, despite an explosive batting performance by Indian all-rounder Shivam Dube.
The Black Caps posted an imposing total of 215-7 from their allotted 20 overs, propelled by a formidable 100-run opening partnership between Devon Conway (44 off 23 balls) and Tim Seifert, who dominated with 62 runs from just 36 deliveries featuring three sixes and seven boundaries. Daryl Mitchell’s unbeaten 39 from 18 balls provided crucial late momentum, particularly during a 19-run assault in Jasprit Bumrah’s penultimate over.
India’s response began disastrously as they lost Abhishek Sharma for a golden duck. The situation deteriorated rapidly with Suryakumar Yadav departing for 8 and Sanju Samson (24) falling to Mitchell Santner’s spin attack. At 82-5 in the 11th over, the match seemed beyond reach until Shivam Dube unleashed a breathtaking counterattack.
Dube electrified the stadium with a spectacular 65-run blitz from merely 23 balls, achieving his half-century in just 15 deliveries—the fastest by an Indian in T20 internationals. His innings included seven massive sixes and three fours, briefly reviving Indian hopes during a 63-run partnership with Harshit Rana. However, Dube’s runout in the 15th over effectively ended India’s resistance, resulting in their dismissal for 165 in 18.4 overs.
New Zealand’s bowling unit delivered a coordinated performance with captain Mitchell Santner claiming 3-26, supported by Jacob Duffy (2-33) and Ish Sodhi (2-46). Despite this defeat, India maintains an unassailable 3-1 series lead heading into the final match in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday.