The India National Cricket Team bowling attack had a tough day in the five-match T20I series opener, as the New Zealand National Cricket Team smashed 225/4 on Thursday (October 22) at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. New Zealand batters attacked from the start and kept the pressure on India.

While the New Zealand National Cricket Team recorded their highest-ever T20I total against India in a bilateral match, the India National Cricket Team created an unwanted record. Earlier, Abhishek Sharma breaks Rohit Sharma's six-hitting record to go No. 1.

Tim Seifert, Finn Allen go berserk as New Zealand smash India in powerplay

New Zealand got off to an aggressive start despite there being some early swing at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who was playing his first match for India in nearly four years, began well but was attacked by Tim Seifert in his second over.

Seifert smashed two fours and a six as New Zealand collected 17 runs. Finn Allen then took on Arshdeep Singh, smashing another 17 runs in an over. Mayank Yadav gave India their first breakthrough by dismissing Seifert for 24 in the fifth over.

However, Allen continued to attack, while Axar Patel was hit for two sixes by Allen and Daryl Mitchell. New Zealand ended the powerplay at 65/1. Allen's innings came to an end in the eighth over when Axar dismissed him for 45, with Tilak Varma taking the brilliant catch in Christchurch.

Glenn Phillips leads New Zealand’s late attack

Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell manage to make some contribution. Arshdeep later dismissed Mitchell in the 13th over, leaving New Zealand at 122/3, but India could not stop the flow of runs.

Phillips joined hands with Bevon Jacobs, and they added 73 runs off just 32 balls. Jacobs smashed 31 off 16 deliveries, hitting three sixes before being run out in the 18th over. Phillips remained unbeaten on 82, with eight fours and three sixes at a strike rate of 205 as New Zealand reached 225/4.

The Black Caps have finished with their highest total on home soil and their joint-highest score against India in T20Is. Amid this, India's highest T20I run-chases: Top 5 successful pursuits.

Axar Patel concedes 51 runs as India set unwanted record in T20Is

Axar Patel was India's most expensive bowler, giving away 51 runs in four overs at an economy rate of 12.75. Bhuvneshwar conceded 49 runs without taking a wicket, while Arshdeep gave away 45 runs in his quota of four overs while dismissing Mitchell at Hagley Oval.

Mayank Yadav and Nitish were relatively more economical, but both conceded 40 runs in their four overs. New Zealand scored 67 runs in the final five overs, putting the Indian bowling attack under pressure. With this, the Indian cricket team set an unwanted record in T20I cricket.

Actually, this was for the first time in India’s 19-year T20I history, when five bowlers conceded 40 or more runs in the same match. However, Sanju Samson (67 runs off 33 balls) and Naman Dhir (42* off 15 balls) managed to take the Men in Blue over the line with four wickets in hand in the final over.