Kishans century helps India seal series 4-1 against New Zealand

India clinched the five-match T20I series 4-1 after defeating New Zealand by 46 runs in the fifth and final match at the Greenfield International Stadium on Saturday. Ishan Kishan’s brilliant maiden T20I century and Arshdeep Singh’s five-wicket haul formed the foundation of India’s victory.

Batting first, India piled up a massive 271 for 5, their third-highest team total in T20I cricket. The hosts made a strong comeback after their defeat in the previous match in Visakhapatnam.

Ishan Kishan played a blistering knock of 103 off 43 balls, which included six fours and ten sixes. His 137-run third-wicket partnership with captain Suryakumar Yadav effectively dismantled the New Zealand bowling attack. Suryakumar scored 63 off 30 balls, while Hardik Pandya added late impetus with a quickfire 42 off 17 balls. India struck a total of 23 sixes in the innings, equalling their own record for the most maximums in a T20I innings.

Earlier, opener Abhishek Sharma scored a brisk 30 off 16 balls, but Sanju Samson’s poor run continued. After losing two wickets for 48 runs in five overs, Kishan’s aggressive batting helped India regain momentum.

Chasing a daunting target of 272, New Zealand got off to an excellent start through Finn Allen. Returning to the side after a long gap, the opener smashed 80 off 38 balls and brought up his half-century in just 22 deliveries. Along with Rachin Ravindra, Allen put together a strong partnership as New Zealand registered their highest-ever powerplay score against India in T20Is.

However, India fought back in the middle overs. Axar Patel provided crucial breakthroughs by dismissing Allen and Glenn Phillips. Despite an expensive start, Arshdeep Singh bounced back superbly in his second spell to claim five wickets for 51 runs. Axar finished with figures of 3 for 33, while Varun Chakravarthy picked up a vital wicket. New Zealand were eventually bowled out for 225 in 19.4 overs.