India had an early batting setback in chase against New Zealand in the fourth T20I at Eden Park, Auckland on 30 October 2026. After Glenn Phillips had taken New Zealand to a massive total of 259/7, India’s chase of 260 got off to a poor start.
Sanju Samson was out within the first ball and returning batter Ishan Kishan also failed to get going as he departed without scoring. The early wickets gave New Zealand an enormous lead and put pressure on India’s middle order immediately.
New Zealand Put India Under Pressure
New Zealand had already shown an outstanding batting performance after India captain Shreyas Iyer elected to bowl first.
Glenn Phillips was the man of the innings with a brilliant 107 off just 49 balls. Aggressive batting helped the hosts build up a big total and put India’s bowlers under pressure.
Michael Bracewell also got a big score with 65 off just 25 balls. He and Phillips pushed New Zealand towards a huge total.
New Zealand finished with 20 overs remaining at 259/7 and India had a tough target of 260 to chase.
Samson's Early Dismissal Shocks India
India needed a confident start to chase such a big target but Sanju Samson’s early departure only increased the pressure.
Samson had the chance to make an important contribution after coming back into the opening combination but he couldn’t get India off the mark they needed.
It was particularly disappointing because he had been building an opening partnership against New Zealand’s bowlers that was vital to their chances.
Sanju Gonee.. #NZvsIND https://t.co/JIw2lFYDrA
— cricket Live (@Msdhoni1546796) October 30, 2026
Ishan Kishan Also Falls for a Duck
India’s problems continued when Ishan Kishan failed to open his account and returned to pavilion without scoring.
Kishan had come back into the playing XI after recovering from right adductor strain. He replaced teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi who had impressed with 45 runs off 19 balls in the previous match.
His return was expected to strengthen India’s batting line-up but the duck only added to the team’s woes in early overs.
The two quick wickets gave New Zealand exactly what they needed to get off to a good start while defending their huge total.
Two Ball Duck for Ishan Kishan 😭 #INDvsNZ https://t.co/v9LM0aF2za
— Cricket Blaze (@CricketBlaze45) October 30, 2026
India Need a Strong Middle-Order Response
Without the opening batters doing enough to lay a solid foundation, India’s middle order is in trouble.
Captain Shreyas Iyer, Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy and the other middle-order options will have to handle the pressure and keep the chase alive.
India have already shown their batting prowess in the series so far (they won the first three matches and have an unassailable 3-0 lead).
However, chasing 260 after losing early wickets is a different ball game altogether.
New Zealand Eye a Comeback Victory
New Zealand will be encouraged by their early breakthroughs after they struggled in the first three matches of the series.
A win would give the hosts a chance to avoid a series whitewash and finish the fourth T20I with a much needed win.
For India the immediate focus will be to get back into the game and stop further wickets falling.
After Phillips’ magnificent century New Zealand have put India under immense pressure. Will India’s middle order produce another amazing response or will the hosts finally win their first game of the serie?
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