Photo via The Times of India

IND vs NZ: Samson special helps India pull off highest successful chase in T20Is

India achieved their largest ever T20I chase by defeating New Zealand by four wickets in the first match of a five-game series in Christchurch. Chasing a target of 226, India reached the goal with two balls remaining.

Sanju Samson led the effort with 67 runs from 33 deliveries, including eight fours and four sixes, marking his eighth half-century of the year across 26 matches. Abhishek Sharma contributed 29 runs off 12 balls during a 93-run opening stand.

After a strong start of 94/1 in the powerplay, India struggled as Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell took wickets, leaving the visitors at 122/4 by the 11th over. Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma fell while attempting to hit boundaries.

Shreyas Iyer scored 42 and Naman Dhir remained unbeaten on 42 from 15 balls to secure the win. New Zealand had previously posted 225/8, with Glenn Phillips scoring an unbeaten 82 off 40 balls and Finn Allen adding 45 from 24.

Tim Seifert scored 24 off 17 balls, attacking Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Arshdeep Singh, while Mayank Yadav took a wicket.

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