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Last Updated on 17 seconds ago by Charbel Coorey
India have produced their highest successful run chase in T20Is, mowing down New Zealand’s 225 with X balls to spare in Christchurch.
A blistering powerplay courtesy of Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma set the tone. The opening pair smashed 93 off 5.5 overs against a capable New Zealand attack, setting the perfect platform for the chase.
Samson was particularly brilliant. With some conjecture around his spot in the team amid the rise of teen sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the right-hander sent a reminder of his class by punishing anything slightly off line and length. He was particularly brutal down the ground even against good length deliveries, playing a host of beautiful shots that will make for a great highlights reel.
However, New Zealand’s spinners – Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell – brought the hosts back into the game. After Bracewell dismissed Abhishek at the end of the powerplay, Santner picked up the big wicket of Samson for a 33-ball 67 a few overs later.
Soon after, Tilak Varma’s troubled stay (6 off 11 balls) came to an end, before Ishan Kishan was dismissed for a three-ball one. New Zealand were right back in the contest, and India had work to do.
Shreyas Iyer (42) and Axar Patel (24) kept things ticking with a quick 43-run stand. But, it was Naman Dhir who had a night to remember, showcasing his capabilities with the bat after his exploits with the ball in the recent West Indies series. He stayed calm when things threatened to get tight in the final two overs, finishing with a 15-ball 42. His innings featured five fours and two sixes, including one to win the match in the final over.
“The new finisher has arrived for India, the school of Mumbai Indians keep delivering for the country, What a calm & composed innings under pressure,” wrote @CricCrazyJohns on X (formerly Twitter).
“Naman Dhir is a player I’ll be very keen to see grow at the top level. Playing a difficult role, yet the calmness on his play is impressive,” wrote former India pace bowler Irfan Pathan.
NAMAN DHIR: 42*(15) 🥶
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 22, 2026
The new finisher has arrived for India, the school of Mumbai Indians keep delivering for the country, What a calm & composed innings under pressure. pic.twitter.com/80Wy2Dwu0f
Naman Dhir is a player I’ll be very keen to see grow at the top level.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) October 22, 2026
Playing a difficult role, yet the calmness on his play is impressive.
Sanju Samson has the most fans around the globe from team India after Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma among active Indian Cricketers! pic.twitter.com/eLoyTBLdQa
— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) October 22, 2026
Really entertaining T20. India have too much batting power.
— Adam Bell 🇳🇿🇮🇹 (@AdamKerrBell) October 22, 2026
Naman Dhir!!!!!!
— Bhawana (@cricbhawana) October 22, 2026
You deserve every bit of appreciation for the incredible innings you pulled off today. 🔥
Very good knock from Shreyas, again India have done well with individuals who have stepped up despite the tactics from the mgmt. #NZvIND
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) October 22, 2026
Literally a month into his international career. Yes I know it’s way too early – But Naman Dhir’s temperament, approach and demeanour looks very well suited for crunch moments. The game will continue to develop – But has so many things going for him, as if he’s been playing at…
— Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) October 22, 2026
This Sanju Samson run post T20CWC of capitalizing on 15+ deliveries to 50+ runs is remarkable.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) October 22, 2026
INDIA BEAT NEW ZEALAND IN THE 1ST T20I BY CHASING 226. 🇮🇳
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 22, 2026
– Naman Dhir played a vital knock of 42* (15). pic.twitter.com/xdjH2coSbt
Sanju Samson – ❤️ striking!
— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) October 22, 2026
Even in the 250 run chase against West Indies as long as Sanju Samson was there the target looked achievable, again today he almost single handedly broke the back of a 226 run chase. Class is permanent and you can’t buy that!
— Prantik (@Pran__07) October 22, 2026
Most 200 Runchases in T20I format
— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar) October 22, 2026
(full member Teams)
7 times – 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮*
7 times – Australia
6 times – Southafrica
4 times – Pakistan
3 times – England
3 times – Westindies
1 time – Newzealand
1 time – Bangladesh#INDvsNZ pic.twitter.com/G2Nmm6PJp6
Naman Dhir with a clutch knock to help India take a 1-0 lead in the series. pic.twitter.com/vm9FPDM8hO
— Subhayan Chakraborty (@CricSubhayan) October 22, 2026
Sanju Samson is having the best year of his international career, and yet some people still want him to be dropped. Strange 😄
— Bhawana (@cricbhawana) October 22, 2026
Such an important cameo this from Axar. Well played.
— Prasanna (@prasannalara) October 22, 2026
SANJU SAMSON – POTM IN NEW ZEALAND 🥹 🥇
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 22, 2026
When India chase down their highest successful run chase, Sanju won POTM, The impact of main man. pic.twitter.com/OLaB7lvTBN
He is here to stay… Naman Dhir. https://t.co/SQ6Xe3zCTP
— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) October 22, 2026
Naman Dhir is a gem 💎
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) October 22, 2026
🚨 INDIA CREATED HISTORY 🚨
— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) October 22, 2026
– TEAM INDIA CHASED DOWN THEIR HIGHEST EVER TOTAL IN T20I INTERNATIONAL HISTORY. 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/ucD61l397O
– 26 Innings.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 22, 2026
– 8 Fifties.
SANJU SAMSON IN 2026 IN T20I WILL BE REMEMBERED 😍 pic.twitter.com/GWSo0gKEBg
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