IND vs NZ 2026: Shivam Dube’s Fiery Fifty In Vain As New Zealand Hand India 50-Run Loss in Visakhapatnam T20I

New Zealand outplayed India by 50 runs in the fourth T20I at Visakhapatnam on January 28, handing the hosts a heavy defeat despite a late fightback.

Batting first, New Zealand put up a strong 215 for 7. The innings was built around a solid 100-run opening stand between Tim Seifert and Devon Conway.

Seifert led the charge with a brisk 62 off 36 balls, while Conway played a calmer role, scoring 44. The pair made full use of the powerplay and gave New Zealand a perfect start.

India’s bowlers managed to slow things down slightly in the middle overs, but New Zealand kept the pressure on. Daryl Mitchell stayed till the end and added a vital 39 not out in the death overs.

Chasing a steep target of 216, India had a nightmare start. Abhishek Sharma was out first ball, and captain Suryakumar Yadav fell cheaply soon after.

The early blows left India at 9 for 2, and the trouble continued. Rinku Singh made 39, while Sanju Samson chipped in with 24, but the run rate kept climbing.

India slipped to 82 for 5, and the match looked almost done before Shivam Dube produced a stunning counterattack. He smashed 65 off just 23 balls, hitting three fours and seven sixes.

Dube brought up his fifty in only 15 balls and took apart the bowling with a 29-run over off Ish Sodhi, briefly giving India hope of an unlikely comeback.

He added 63 runs for the sixth wicket with Harshit Rana, but the turning point came in unlucky fashion. A deflection off Matt Henry’s hand ran Dube out at the non-striker’s end.

Once Dube was gone, India’s chase collapsed quickly. The team was bowled out for 165 in 18.4 overs, falling well short of the target.

Despite the loss, India still lead the five-match series 3–1, with one game left to play.