In their last game before the T20 World Cup title defence, India flaunted the true range and abilities of their batting might. They rocked up to the halfway stage in Thiruvananthapuram at 102/2 and yet what followed in the second half was the real mayhem. Sixes were hit, records were broken, a pulsating century was reached, and India had 271/5 in 20 overs – their third highest T20I total. Along the way, India matched their best tally of sixes in a T20I – 23 of them, on the most deflating night of the series for a very self-aware New Zealand bowling attack, who, per Mitchell Santner, have known the near-limitlessness of this Indian line-up.
Ishan Kishan brings up his maiden ton in T20Is
India used the game as a rehearsal rather than a result-driven contest, ticking off key preparatory goals ahead of the World Cup. Opting to bat first to simulate a possible toss loss, Suryakumar Yadav led from the front with his third fifty of the series, finally finding rhythm in a format that has recently tested him. Early setbacks followed, with Sanju Samson falling cheaply and Abhishek Sharma’s brisk cameo cut short by Lockie Ferguson, but India’s aggressive intent remained undented despite being a modest 54 for 2 after six overs.
Ishan Kishan then seized the spotlight with a blistering 41-ball century, making a compelling case for a starting role in the World Cup. Partnering Suryakumar, he tore into New Zealand’s spinners through the middle overs, refusing to ease off even after reaching personal milestones. A particularly brutal assault on Ish Sodhi, highlighted by a 29-run over, swung the momentum decisively, while Suryakumar kept the pressure on with a rapid half-century before departing midway through the innings.
The onslaught only intensified at the death, with Hardik Pandya picking up seamlessly where others left off, striking 42 runs off just 17 balls. Kishan brought up his hundred in the 17th over and continued to deal in sixes as India finished with a flourish, plundering 169 runs in the final 10 overs. The late surge underlined India’s batting depth and intent, offering a timely statement of readiness ahead of the global event.
Arshdeep Singh bags a five wicket haul
Chasing an imposing target, New Zealand were given early belief by Finn Allen, who returned to the side with an electrifying display at the top. He raced to a 22-ball half-century inside the PowerPlay, fearlessly taking on India’s premier bowlers, including a flat-batted six off Jasprit Bumrah and a punishing sequence against Arshdeep Singh. Allen continued the assault beyond the fielding restrictions, striking Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy for sixes before holing out to long-on for a stunning 80 off 38 balls, leaving New Zealand at a formidable 131 for 2 at the halfway mark.
However, staying ahead of the chase required sustained brutality, and that momentum soon unraveled. Axar Patel broke through by removing Glenn Phillips, and Arshdeep Singh redeemed an expensive start with a miserly over that also accounted for Rachin Ravindra and Mitchell Santner. Those wickets stalled New Zealand’s charge and shifted control firmly back to India.
Daryl Mitchell and Bevon Jacobs briefly revived hopes with an aggressive takedown of Bumrah, but Varun Chakravarthy struck immediately after by dismissing Jacobs. Arshdeep then sealed the contest with another double-wicket over to complete a five-for, while Axar added to the collapse by cleaning up Lockie Ferguson. Late resistance from the tail inflated Bumrah’s figures, but Rinku Singh closed the innings by dismissing Ish Sodhi, confirming a comfortable 46-run win for India.
Scorecard: India 271/5 in 20 overs (Ishan Kishan 103, Suryakumar Yadav 63, Hardik Pandya 42; Lockie Ferguson 2-41) beat New Zealand 225 in 19.4 overs (Finn Allen 80, Ish Sodni 33; Arshdeep Singh 5-51, Axar Patel 3-33) by 46 runs