New Zealand finally landed a punch after being put on the back foot earlier in the series in India.
The visitors produced a clinical all-round display in Vizag on Wednesday to register their first win, steamrolling India by 50 runs despite a late Shivam Dube explosion that briefly lit up the chase.
At 215 for 6, New Zealand’s total felt just slightly under par on a good batting surface. But Tim Seifert and Devon Conway had other ideas early on. Their opening stand of 100 — with 71 coming in the Powerplay — gave the innings serious momentum.
Seifert was in a hurry, racing to a 25-ball fifty and eventually falling for a brisk 62, while Conway anchored with a composed 44 before Kuldeep Yadav broke the stand.
India clawed back with wickets — Bumrah dismissed Rachin Ravindra cheaply, Arshdeep removed Seifert — but the run rate never dipped enough to apply real pressure. New Zealand crossed 200 with room to spare, setting India a stiff 216.
Matt Henry struck first ball, removing Abhishek Sharma for a golden duck, and Jacob Duffy followed it up with a sharp return catch to send Suryakumar Yadav packing. At 2 down almost instantly, India were scrambling.
Sanju Samson finally found some rhythm after a tough series, and alongside a promoted Rinku Singh, added 46 for the third wicket. But just as India threatened to settle, Mitchell Santner stepped in — castling Samson and then outfoxing Hardik Pandya with flight.
Rinku’s LBW dismissal to Zak Foulkes left India gasping at 82 for 5. Enter Shivam Dube.
What followed was pure carnage. Dube announced himself with a massive six and then went into overdrive, smashing a 15-ball fifty — the third fastest by an Indian: seven sixes, three fours, and sudden belief.
