India vs New Zealand, highlights, 4th T20I at Wellington, Full Cricket Score: India win Super Over, go 4-0 up in five-match series

Virat Kohli, India skipper: There’s something new I’ve learnt in the last couple of games which is to stay calm, wait for the opportunity and capitalise on it. Last two games have been unbelievable. We had never played a Super Over before, and now we have played two back-to-back. Shows the character of the team. KL and me had a chat, and he said I should walk in with him because of my experince. His two shots early on were crucial. It was exciting for me. (On youngsters) Pretty good. I thought Sanju was fearless. We didn’t quite read the pitch that well. We thought this was his chance. He should back himself. All in all, all of them looked in good headspace. If the opposition plays that well, there’s no harm in saying they played well.

Tim Southee, NZ captain: Yes, really tough, especially after the position we were in. If you give India any chance they will grab it with both hands. [On him bowling second Super Over in two games] When you got a young bowling attack, it’s tough when you haven’t won and you play against a quality opposition in India, give them a sniff and make it tough for yourselves.

“Feeling good. Two games in a row. Couldn’t ask for more. After the last game, we all learnt we shouldn’t lose hope. First ball wicket was crucial. If I got a wicket, pressure’s on them. Good contribution from me. It was important to stretch the partnership in the middle. Should’ve carried my bat into the 19th or the 20th over,” says Shardul Thakur, who has been adjudged the Player of the Match for his all-round effort!

‪India’s last eight T20Is:‬

‪Tied (Won in Super Over)‬
‪Tied (Won in Super Over)‬
‪Won‬
‪Won‬
‪Won‬
‪Won‬
‪NR‬
‪Won

New Zealand’s last six T20Is:‬

‪Tied (Lost in Super Over)‬
‪Tied (Lost in Super Over)‬
‪Lost‬
‪Lost‬
‪Tied (Lost in Super Over)‬
‪Lost ‬

New Zealand in Super Overs:

v West Indies, Auckland, 2008, T20I – Lost
v Australia, Christchurch, 2010, T20I – Lost
v Sri Lanka, Pallekele, 2012, T20I – Lost
v West Indies, Pallekele, 2012, T20I – Lost
v England, Lord’s, 2019, ODI – Lost
v England, Auckland, 2019, T20I – Lost
v India, Hamilton, 2020, T20I – Lost
v India, Wellington, 2020, T20I – Lost

Turn away New Zealand fans

southee announces immediate retirement from all forms of super over cricket #NZvIND

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) January 31, 2020

Virat Kohli does in in style, slapping a back-of-length delivery from Southee towards the vacant midwicket fence as India snatch another victory from the jaws of defeat to go 4-0 up in the series. Tim Southee’s will probably be having nightmares about the two lost Super Overs for a month now. New Zealand’s luck just remains rotten. Tough being a Black Caps fan.

0.5 overs: FOUR! Kohli finishes off in style with a pull towards the midwicket fence as India win the Super Over to go 4-0 up in the T20I series! IND 16/1

4 to win. 3 balls. Samson and Kohli. Southee has bowled 4 out of 5 Super Overs in a losing cause.

0.4 overs: TWO! Kohli pinches a quick double after tapping the ball towards mid on! Super running between the wickets! IND 12/1; need 2 to win from 2

0.3 overs: OUT! Rahul holes out to Kuggeleijn at deep square leg! Game’s not over yet! IND 10/1; need 4 to win from 3

Rahul c Kuggeleijn b Southee 10

0.2 overs: FOUR! Short, going down leg, and Rahul hooks this over short fine! IND 10/0; need 4 to win from 4

0.1 overs: SIX! Rahul smashes this high over the square leg fence for a maximum! IND 6/0; need 8 to win from 5

13 runs collected by the Black Caps after batting first in the Super Over, courtesy a boundary each to Seifert and Munro as well as the dismissal of the former off the fourth delivery.  India will be disappointed with the two dropped chances early on in the over. Rahul and Kohli walk out to bat for the Super Over, with Southee getting another shot at redemption.

1 over: Single! The Indians think Munro’s caught at short fine while attempting a paddle shot, but the ball is shown to be deflecting off the ground before travelling to the fielder. India need 14 to in a second consecutive Super Over! NZ 13/1

0.5 overs: FOUR! Cut hard behind point by Munro in the first delivery that he faces in this Super Over! NZ 12/1

0.4 overs: OUT! Seifert’s not a third time lucky now, as he gets caught at deep backward point by Sundar while looking to heave this back-of-length ball! NZ 8/1

Seifert c Sundar b Bumrah 8

0.3 overs: DROPPED! Two drops in three balls! This time Rahul spills it after a thick top-edge by Seifert! NZ 8/0

0.2 overs: FOUR! Seifert goes inside out towards deep extra cover for a boundary this time! NZ 6/0

0.1 overs: TWO! Seifert mishits, skies the ball towards midwicket where Iyer spills a chance; NZ 2/0

‪NZ involved in tied T20Is:‬

‪v West Indies, Auckland, 2006‬
‪v West Indies, Auckland, 2008‬
‪v Australia, Christchurch, 2010‬
‪v Sri Lanka, Pallekele ICS, 2012‬
‪v West Indies, Pallekele ICS, 2012‬
‪v England, Auckland, 2019‬
‪v India, Hamilton, 2020‬
‪v India, Wellington, 2020*‬

Bumrah gets the Super Over responsibility again. He’s bowled a much better spell today than in the third T20I, and Kohli will be counting on him. Seifert and Munro walk out for the Black Caps.

The side batting second will bat first in the Super Over. No Williamson for the Black Caps in this game. Guptill looked off colour earlier, so he might be overlooked as well. Looks like Munro and Seifert are certain to walk out, and maybe Taylor.

Unbeliveable!

18 runs, 18 balls, 7 wickets. Super Over. https://t.co/Y5onycSduO

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 31, 2020

Would you believe it? Four wickets in the last over, no hat trick and yet we have managed to get another Super Over. This is madness of the highest order. New Zealand’s saga with Super Over madness continues. Two half-centuries and yet not over the line.

20 Overs: It’s a tie! We have another Super Over! Two Super Overs in as many games! What a game it turned out to be in the end, going down to the very last delivery of the last over! Santner steers the ball through point, but straight to a fielder and is comfortably run out while coming back for a second. NZ 165/7

Santner run out (Samson/Rahul) 2(2)

19.5 Overs: OUT! What an over from Shardul Thakur! Now Mitchell miscues to get caught by Dube at wide extra cover! NZ 164/6; need 2 off 1

Mitchell c Dube b Thakur 4(3)

Surely, not!?

New Zealand aren't going to mess this one up, too, are they?!

— Scott Redler  (@RedDogT73) January 31, 2020

19.4 Overs: Single. Santner walks out to bat after Seifert’s run out, and guides the ball towards midwicket for a single; NZ 164/5; need 2 off 2

19.3 Overs: OUT! Mitchell sets off for a run after missing the ball completely, and Rahul’s bang on in his throw as Seifert gets run out! NZ 163/5; need 3 off 3

Seifert run out (Rahul) 57(39)

19.2 Overs: FOUR! Mitchell walks out to bat next, and slaps the ball over extra cover for a boundary; NZ 163/4; need 3 off 4

19.1 Overs: OUT! Shardul Thakur strikes first ball! Are we in for a thriller now! Taylor skies the ball towards deep square leg, and perishes! NZ 159/4; need 7 off 5

Taylor c Iyer b Thakur 24(18)

After 19 overs,New Zealand 159/3 ( Tim Seifert (W) 57 , Ross Taylor 24)

Saini bowls the penultimate over, and starts off with a dot. Seifert gets a thick top edge off the second delivery, the ball landing between three converging fielders near long leg, Kohli clearly not happy with the confusion on the field. Single off each of the last two balls. New Zealand need 7 off 6. Surely, we’re not getting any surprises today, are we?

After 18 overs,New Zealand 155/3 ( Tim Seifert (W) 54 , Ross Taylor 23)

Risky single collected by Taylor off the third delivery, Pandey missing the striker’s stumps narrowly to allow Seifert to continue. Seifert crunches the ball through point next ball to bring up his 2nd T20I fifty, and bring his team closer to the finish line. Bumrah misses a direct hit off the last delivery, looking slightly disappointed with himself despite finishing with quality figures of 1/20 at the end of his quota. NZ need 11 to win off 12 balls.

FOUR! Fine way for Tim Seifert to bring up his second T20I half-century off 32 deliveries! The keeper-bat will hope to finish the game for the Black Caps now. NZ 154/3

After 17 overs,New Zealand 148/3 ( Tim Seifert (W) 48 , Ross Taylor 22)

Thakur returns to the attack, and concedes a boundary first ball — Taylor slapping a back-of-length delivery through point. Seifert gets a leading edge that lands short of backward point, allowing him to set off for a single. Two singles collected off the last three deliveries, with the Black Caps left needing 18 runs off as many deliveries.

FOUR! Slapped through point by Ross Taylor! The Black Caps are looking to end this in a hurry! NZ 144/3

After 16 overs,New Zealand 140/3 ( Tim Seifert (W) 46 , Ross Taylor 16)

Bumrah brought back in the 16th, Kohli hoping for a miracle now. Run out chance in the second delivery, with Taylor setting off for a leg bye after getting rapped on the pad, with Seifert beating Bumrah in the dash to the striker’s end. Seifert collects a boundary off the fourth by steering a full toss towards the third man fence. 10 from the over, with the equation almost run-a-ball now for the Black Caps — 26 off 24.

FOUR! Full toss from Bumrah, Seifert opens the face of the bat and runs this towards third man. NZ 138/3

After 15 overs,New Zealand 130/3 ( Tim Seifert (W) 38 , Ross Taylor 15)

Seifert’s dropping twice off as many deliveries, by Saini near the cow corner fence and by Bumrah at short third man respectively. Taylor collects an extra run off the fourth delivery thanks to an overthrow. Taylor ends the over with a slog sweep towards cow corner off the last delivery, collecting an easy four. 17 off the over. New Zealand need 36 to win from 30 with seven wickets in hand.

FOUR! Taylor gets down on one knee and slog-sweeps the ball towards the vacant cow corner fence off the last delivery of the 15th over NZ 130/3

SIX! Seifert slogs towards cow corner, not quite hitting it as cleanly as he would’ve liked. Saini gets a hand on the ball at the edge of the boundary, but loses his balance and ends up parrying it over the rope for a six. NZ 120/3

After 14 overs,New Zealand 113/3 ( Tim Seifert (W) 31 , Ross Taylor 6)

The bails fall off at the striker’s end due to the strong Wellington wind, delaying the third delivery by a few seconds. Kohli stops Dube from bowling the fourth as yet’s not done adjusting the field yet. The delays aside, 11 runs are added to the New Zealand total in this over, including a six to Seifer off the last ball. New Zealand need 53 to win from 36.

SIX! Seifert rocks back and hammers the ball towards the wide long on fence for a maximum, the ball landing on the advertising triangle that requires some scrutiny from the TV umpire before arriving at a decision. NZ 113/3

After 13 overs,New Zealand 102/3 ( Tim Seifert (W) 23 , Ross Taylor 3)

Chahal’s brought back, and he beats Tom Bruce’s attempt to paddle sweep the ball, rattling the furniture to signal the fall of the third New Zealand wicket and the arrival of the veteran batter Ross Taylor at the crease. 100 up for the Kiwis in this over, with the required run rate going past nine now. New Zealand need 64 to win from 42 balls.

OUT! One wicket leads to another, and suddenly the Black Caps are in a spot of bother after losing their third wicket. Bruce was shaping for a paddle sweep, but missed the ball completely and the ball got enough turn to hit the furniture. NZ 97/3

Bruce b Chahal 0(3)

Wicket out of nowhere and it’s that man… Virat Kohli. Relayed throw and took a blind shy at the stumps. Turned and just knew he was going to hit the striker’s end. Bang. Direct hit and run out. Munro knew it instantly and was halfway to the dug out by the time third umpire ruled. Super throw from Kohli!!

After 12 overs,New Zealand 97/2 ( Tim Seifert (W) 21 , Tom Bruce 0)

Shivam Dube from the other end now, Indians desperate for a breakthrough at this stage to keep their hopes of going 4-0 up alive. Kohli delivers on that front with a superb direct hit at the striker’s end with Munro steadily returning for a second run, catching the batsman unaware and plucking a wicket from out of nowhere. Appeal for lbw against new batsman Tom Bruce off the last delivery, but the umpire’s not interested. Five runs and a wicket from this over.

OUT! This has come out of nowhere! Against the run out play, Munro’s caught short of the crease at the striker’s end while coming back for a second, thanks to Kohli’s brilliance on the field! Munro looked disappointed with himself after that. Some hope for the visitors now. NZ 96/2

Munro run out (Thakur/Kohli) 64(47)

After 11 overs,New Zealand 92/1 ( Colin Munro 62 , Tim Seifert (W) 20)

Kohli switches back to pace, bringing Saini back, with the latter starting his third over with a wide down the leg side. Seifert collects his second four off the second delivery with a slap over point. Munro batters the ball through the gap between extra cover and mid off off the penultimate delivery to move into the 60s. 13 off the over. New Zealand need 74 to win off 54 balls.

New Zealand have finally got what they wanted. One of their openers to bat long and the others to bat around him. Munro’s fifty puts them in great stead for chasing down the total. This match has followed the second T20’s script for quite a bit.

FOUR! Battered through extra cover by Munro! Was a slower one from Saini, shaping away from the batsman, but Munro timed this to perfection. NZ 92/1

Colin Munro (59*) is now the highest run-getter against India in T20Is, going past Aaron Finch’s tally of 405 runs.

FOUR! Seifert slaps the back-of-length delivery from Saini over point! NZ 85/1

After 10 overs,New Zealand 79/1 ( Colin Munro 57 , Tim Seifert (W) 15)

Munro smashes back-to-back fours off Sundar in this over, bringing up the fifty stand with Seifert as well as his own half-century off just 38 deliveries as New Zealand recover from the early dismissal of Guptill to move to 79/1 at the halfway stage, Munro’s presence making them favourites to chase the 166-run target down. New Zealand need 87 to win from 60 balls.

FOUR! Munro goes square this time, cutting the ball through backward point to make it back-to-back fours! NZ 76/1

FOUR! What a way for Colin Munro to not only stitch the fifty stand with Seifert, but to also bring up his 11th T20I half-century — as well as his 2nd of the series! Smashed straight over the bowler’s head, Munro taking 38 balls to race to the milestone. NZ 72/1

After 9 overs,New Zealand 68/1 ( Colin Munro 46 , Tim Seifert (W) 15)

Munro drives the ball through cover off the second delivery for a brace. Chahal notices the southpaw shape for a reverse sweep off the third, and alters his line last second to catch him off guard. Fine stop by Samson near deep backward point to save a couple of runs for the visitors. Seifert ends the over with a slog sweep that sends the ball flying over cow corner. 12 off the over.

SIX! Seifert gets down on one knee and smashes the ball towards the cow corner fence for a maximum! NZ 68/1

After 8 overs,New Zealand 56/1 ( Colin Munro 41 , Tim Seifert (W) 8)

Sundar’s introduced from the other end, and he’s greeted by Seifert with a powerful cut through cover for a boundary first ball. Chahal however, restricts the NZ No 3 to just a single with well-timed dive at backward point. Munro smashes a full toss over the midwicket fence for a maximum off the fourth delivery. Single off each of the last two balls, with 13 coming from the over.

SIX! Full toss from Sundar, Munro accepts the gift gleefully, and smashes it over the midwicket fence for another maximum, bringing up the fifty for the Black Caps in the process. NZ 54/1

FOUR! Seifert rocks back and cuts hard through cover to collect his first boundary. Not the best of starts for Sundar. NZ 47/1

After 7 overs,New Zealand 43/1 ( Colin Munro 34 , Tim Seifert (W) 2)

Spin introduced after the powerplay, with Chahal handed the ball by the skipper. Sodhi and Santner helped slam the brakes on the Indian scoring in the middle stages, and it will be interesting to see how Chahal and Sundar fare today. Four from this over.

Powerplay comparison:

India : 51/2 (RR – 8.50)
New Zealand : 39/1 (RR – 6.50)

After 6 overs,New Zealand 39/1 ( Colin Munro 32 , Tim Seifert (W) 0)

Munro turns the tide by smashing a six followed by two fours — all in the first three deliveries of the over — to take New Zealand’s run-rate past six an over. Thakur concedes a wide off the fourth, but makes a decent recover to finish with a single and two consecutive dots. New Zealand collect 39 in the powerplay, 32 of those coming off Munro’s bat. Seifert, meanwhile, is yet to get off the mark.

India’s opening spells have really worked out, especially how Kohli has rotated his pacers. Saini a tad expensive but his deliveries are flying here. I am sitting on the side boundary and it is absolutely flying off the deck. A little more control needed from him, like what Thakur and Bumrah have displayed so far. It’s been a slow start from New Zealand.

FOUR! Back-to-back fours for Munro now after the six, driven wide of mid on this time. NZ 37/1

FOUR! Munro goes for an inside-out loft over extra cover this time after the six, and suddenly Thakur is under immense pressure. NZ 33/1

SIX! It’s been a Munro-show so far in the NZ innings! Hammers this into the stands beyond the midwicket fence, even bigger than the previous six! NZ 29/1

After 5 overs,New Zealand 23/1 ( Colin Munro 17 , Tim Seifert (W) 0)

Bumrah strikes inside the powerplay, dismissing Guptill to send him back to the dugout for 4. Seifert walks out to bat at 3 today, with Williamson sitting out of this game due to an injured left shoulder. Superb over from Bumrah, with just two runs coming off it along with the wicket.

The lowest total successfully defended in a T20I match in New Zealand is 165. South Africa defended against New Zealand at Auckland in 2012.

India have not lost any of their last 17 T20I matches where Manish Pandey was part of the playing XI. The last time when India lost a match with Pandey in the XI was against Sri Lanka in the opening match of Nidahas Trophy in 2018.

OUT! Bumrah draws first blood! Guptill’s uneasy stay at the crease comes to an end with a thick top edge that sends the ball high in the air, Rahul settling under and safely pouching it to complete the dismissal. NZ 22/1

Guptill c Rahul b Bumrah 4(8)

After 4 overs,New Zealand 21/0 ( Martin Guptill 4 , Colin Munro 15)

Saini starts this over with a rank full toss to Munro, collecting a dot. The Delhi pacer gifts a length ball to the southpaw off the third delivery, inviting a full swing of the bat that sends the ball sailing over the midwicket boundary. Swing-and-a-miss for Guptill off the fifth ball, followed a brace off the last delivery, with Samson putting in a dive at deep backward square leg to save a couple of runs for the visitors. Nine from the over.

SIX! Length ball from Saini, and Munro smashes this over the midwicket fence to collect the first maximum of the innings! NZ 18/0

After 3 overs,New Zealand 12/0 ( Martin Guptill 2 , Colin Munro 8)

Bumrah bowls the third over now, replacing Thakur. The pace spearhead mixes his length up nicely, including a couple of yorkers, to keep the batsmen on the backfoot. Munro nearly gets run out in the fifth delivery while setting off for a risky single, Thakur’s throw travelling anxiously close to the non-striker’s stumps. Three from the over.

After 2 overs,New Zealand 9/0 ( Martin Guptill 2 , Colin Munro 6)

Saini, replacing Shami today, bowls from the other end. Munro collects the first boundary of the innings off the third delivery, taking a couple of steps forward and lofting the ball inside out. We have an intruder on the field right after the boundary, causing a few seconds’ delay. Good comeback by Saini after the boundary, conceding just a single off the next three deliveries.

FOUR! First boundary of the New Zealand innings, Munro takes a couple of steps forward and lofts the ball inside out down the ground. NZ 8/0

After 1 over,New Zealand 4/0 ( Martin Guptill 2 , Colin Munro 1)

Guptill gets off the mark with a single off the first delivery, working the ball towards midwicket. Munro pulls towards the same region, but also collects only a single. Guptill’s surprised by the extra bounce on offer in the fourth delivery, chipping the ball wide of the bowler towards short extra cover, before setting off for a run next ball. Leg bye off the last ball, as the ball deflects off Munro’s pad, landing close to point. Four off the first over.

Guptill and Munro out at the centre, hoping to get the Black Caps to a flying start to turn the 166-run chase into a cakewalk. Shardul, who struck a handy cameo earlier, once again opens the bowling.

Old tweet, but still relevant

So much to like about Manish Pandey. Warms the bench for long periods, and yet finds a way to make a telling contribution whenever he gets a chance. Can’t be easy at all. #INDvSL

— Raunak Kapoor (@RaunakRK) January 10, 2020

Manish Pandey has single handedly kept Indian buoyant in this game. 160-plus is a respectable total and if India can make inroads early, we could have a game on our hands. Pandey has really settled into this role at no.7 in T20 cricket and it would be a shame if he doesn’t make the World Cup squad from here onwards.

After 20 overs,India 165/8 ( Manish Pandey 50 , Navdeep Saini 11)

Excellent recovery from India to set New Zealand more than a fighting total of 166 to chase down. Manish Pandey was the anchor and the acclerator especially in the second half of the Indian innings. Final over of the innings by Kuggeleijn goes for 11 runs with a boundary at the start of the over along with couple of byes.

Indian bowlers have a good score to defend and maintain their 100 percent win record in this T20I series. Join us after the short break.

FIFTY! This has been an exceptional knock by Manish Pandey given the circumstances. He has given Indian bowlers more than a chance for themselves. Smashes it down to long on for a single to raise his half-century.

FOUR! That has been crushed by Manish Pandey! It was the slower ball wide outside off, the length was slightly short and Pandey hangs back to crunch it wide of deep cover for a boundary

After 19 overs,India 154/8 ( Manish Pandey 42 , Navdeep Saini 11)

India’s tailenders have had some vital runs, first Thakur and now Saini with a couple of boundaries off Bennett that takes India past the 150-run mark. India can now even make it to 170 and that would be some recovery. Pandey didn’t get much of the strike in this over, but India will take the 10 runs that came from it.

FOUR! Saini does well to pick the slower ball, wait for it to arrive and then blast it through the gap between mid off and covers for a boundary

FOUR! Saini gives it his all. Clears the front leg and throws his hands at a delivery just outside off, it was a wild swing and the connection is sweet as well. He slices it over point for a boundary.

After 18 overs,India 144/8 ( Manish Pandey 42 , Navdeep Saini 1)

Decent finish for Southee, who manages to claim his first wicket of Chahal off his penultimate delivery. Saini comes out to bat at number 10 and collects a single off his first ball, he will keep the strike for the start of the 19th over.

OUT! Yuzvendra Chahal is out caught behind. Southee bowls it in the channel outside the off stump and Chahal was looking to run it down to third man, gets a nick behind to Seifert. Southee picks his first wicket. NZ need two more wickets to bowl India out.

Chahal c Seifert b Southee 1(2)

After 17 overs,India 138/7 ( Manish Pandey 38 , Yuzvendra Chahal 0)

Thakur falls but two boundaries in the over ensures another big over for India. Pandey needs to bat through from India’s perspective while New Zealand will look to run through the tail.

FOUR! Alrighty then! Manish Pandey has absolutely smashed a big forehand, he takes the short length delivery from head high to bash it down the ground. He had already moved to the leg side tp create some sort of room

OUT! Thakur perishes to Bennett’s knuckleball! He was looking to club one down the ground but there is no pace on the ball. He ends up getting it high into the Wellington’s night sky where Southee gets under it around short mid on to snaffle it safely.

S Thakur c Southee b Bennett 20(15)

FOUR! Back of a length from Bennett and Thakur heaves it across the line, and he has placed it well wide of long on fielder for a boundary.

After 16 overs,India 124/6 ( Manish Pandey 31 , Shardul Thakur 14)

Tim Southee to bowl his third over. Thakur misses his pull and cops one right in his midriff, before Manish Pandey expertly earns himself a boundary. With the field coming up he goes over mid off but doesn’t time it perfectly, still picks up a couple. A wide and leg bye later, Thakur’s slice over backward point gives three more runs, Munro chased down the ball to save a run for his side. Southee’s over costs 13 runs.

FOUR! Cleverly done by Manish Pandey. He spotted the gap between backward point and short third man. Just backs away a touch, opens the face of the bat and steers the ball, which was on the middle stump, through the gap for a boundary.

The key to his success

Ish Sodhi has bowled a lot slower than usual today and has found a lot of success. He's averaged 79.7 kph across his four over spell today, the slowest of all the T20Is in his career. #NZvIND

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) January 31, 2020

After 15 overs,India 112/6 ( Manish Pandey 24 , Shardul Thakur 11)

Back to pace. The two spinners have been bowled out. Hamish Bennett returns into the attack. Couple of singles followed by a pair of braces before Bennett’s short ball is called wide and single down the ground to finish the over. Five overs to go, the the 7th wicket partnership has added 24 runs off 21 balls.

Most wickets taken by a New Zealand bowler against an opponent in T20Is:

17 : Ish Sodhi v India*
17 : Tim Southee v Pakistan
16 : Mitchell Santner v England

India in the mood to throw away wickets tonight. Dube gone with a hit to midwicket where another collision nearly happened between two converging fielders. NZ already had one the previous over. Tom Bruce’s catch was a good one considering he kept his composure despite the approaching fielder.

After 14 overs,India 104/6 ( Manish Pandey 18 , Shardul Thakur 10)

Santner draws a genuine outside edge from Pandey but there is no slip in place, the fielder at short third does well to keep it down to three runs. Good finish from Santner as well, seven runs from his over. Thakur moves into double figures and India go past the 100-run mark. Santner’s figures for today: 4-0-26-1.

After 13 overs,India 97/6 ( Manish Pandey 14 , Shardul Thakur 7)

Sodhi finishes his spell with a boundary an antithetical end to how the leg spinner has bowled today. He still finishes with excellent figures of 4-0-26-3. Thakur promises to provide some support to Pandey. Seven overs to go, India might still back themselves to get to 150.

FOUR! Width on offer and Thakur opens his arms and smashes Sodhi’s last ball of his quota past the diving point fielder for a welcome boundary.

After 12 overs,India 88/6 ( Manish Pandey 12 , Shardul Thakur 0)

After three catches, Santner has a wicket for himself. Washington Sundar joins Sanju Samson and Shivam Dube among the fringe players not making the opportunity count. He walks for a zero against his name. Shardul Thakur can hit the ball long, but he will have to hold his shots for a bit today. Let’s see how he fares with the bat.

At least India have managed to cross 79 in this one

Ball is turning, India in disarray! Now, where have you read that before!

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 31, 2020

OUT! Washington Sundar has been bowled! Santner does get one to turn back into Washington from round the wicket, who was looking to run it down fine towards third man ends up inside edging it onto his wickets. India six down before the 12th over, how often do you see that?!

 Washington Sundar b Santner 0(3)

How not to make opportunities count

Indian batsmen have decided they don't want to make experimentation count. This is a frustrating collapse for a few particular batsmen. #NZvInd

— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) January 31, 2020

After 11 overs,India 87/5 ( Manish Pandey 11 , Washington Sundar 0)

India losing the plot and batsmen almost every over now. Ish Sodhi is picking wickets for fun. Shivam Dube throws away another opportunity to establish himself as a big-hitting allrounder and a potential back up to Hardik Pandya. Washington Sundar walks out to the centre.

OUT! And another one bites the dust! Shivam Dube holes out in the deep. He goes for a big heave across the line but the ball seems to have come off the top half of the bat. There is another collision but Tom Bruce holds on. Bruce simply denied Santner another catch. India in trouble. Sodhi has his third.

Shivam Dube c Tom Bruce b Ish Sodhi 12(9)

Everything’s going well for the Black Caps today, it seems

What is this witchcraft? Mitchell Santner taking an easy catch? He normally only holds difficult ones. He pretty much never holds the straightforward opportunities. #NZvIND

— Michael Wagener (@Mykuhl) January 31, 2020

After 10 overs,India 83/4 ( Shivam Dube 12 , Manish Pandey 7)

Santner returns to the bowling crease and quickly delivers a very tidy over. Pandey and Dube knock him around for three singles before they collect three runs down the ground, courtesy a minor coillison between New Zealand fielders.

After 9 overs,India 77/4 ( Shivam Dube 12 , Manish Pandey 1)

India lose their fourth and probably the most important wicket of KL Rahul inside the first 10. Sodhi bags his second wicket. Manish Pandey strides out and gets off the mark. Big opportunity for him to bat through.

Clearly an off day for India this. Almost everything is going to hand and getting caught. Now Rahul picks out a fielder in the deep. At this rate, getting past 150 will be a struggle. Something similar happened with New Zealand in the second T20 and they ended up with 130 odd.

OUT! GONE! Rahul hits it straight to the fielder and no prizes for guesses, who the fielder is. Yes, it is Santner again, taking his third catch of the day, however, in terms of difficulty nowhere close to the previous two grabs. Sodhi will consider himself extremely lucky as it was rank long hop that perhaps stuck in the pitch for little longer than he expected or so it seems because on another day Rahul would have pulled the ball deep into the stands

Rahul c Santner b Ish Sodhi 39(26)

FOUR! Delightful from KLR! He jumps deep in his crease and cuts it for four! Found the gap precisely between backward and cover point.

After 8 overs,India 69/3 ( KL Rahul (W) 34 , Shivam Dube 10)

No real risks taken by the Indian batsmen but with the help of three boundaries, with two going along the carpet, India collect 14 runs off Kuggeleijn’s third over of the innings.

Good move?

Dube ahead of Pandey? Baffling.

— Shashank Kishore (@captainshanky) January 31, 2020

FOUR! This time very well controlled by Dube. Kuggeleijn targetting the short length and angling across the tall left-hander, who steers it through backward point region. No chance for Sodhi at third man.

FOUR! Not the most convincing of shots but Shivam Dube will take it gleefully. Another indication of some extra bounce in this wicket. Short legnth delivery slanted across and Dube pushes at the ball with hard hands. Thick outside edge that runs away to third man fence.

FOUR! Just a little bit of width and that is enough for KL Rahul to free his arms and direct the ball past point, you could argue regarding the fielder Munro’s effort, but nothing to take away from the quality of Rahul’s shot.

After 7 overs,India 55/3 ( KL Rahul (W) 29 , Shivam Dube 1)

New Zealand applying the brakes as well as picking wickets. Just after couple of good overs, they are right on top here. Ish Sodhi brought into attack after powerplay and he dismisses Iyer off his third ball. Four runs and a wicket off Sodhi’s first over. Shivam Dube walks in ahead of Manish Pandey, the Indian middle order and probably the lower middle order will be tested today and India having won the series, won’t really mind that.

Iyer gone for cheap too. The wobble is real today and India’s top-order has been decimated. On the backfoot already on a decent pitch. 170 looks tough from here and the momentum has all been taken out. Meanwhile, Dube ahead of Pandey again. So MP has been given the finisher role, pure and simple.

OUT! Got’em! Sodhi picks a wicket of the third ball. Great glovework from Tim Seifert to take a stunning catch. Tad short of a length, just outside off, but it was the googly, Shreyas was lining up for the cut, but with the ball spinning back in and also with a hint of extra bounce, he ends getting a very thick outside edge. The ball sticks in Seifert’s right glove webbing.

Shreyas Iyer c Seifert b Ish Sodhi 1(7)

Virat Kohli’s batting average in T20Is,

Before this series : 52.72
After four T20Is this series : 50.80

After 6 overs,India 51/2 ( KL Rahul (W) 26 , Shreyas Iyer 1)

Kuggeleijn is back on. Much better over from him, even though he had bagged a wicket in the over but he also leaked 15 runs, this time around just a solitary run. So despite the rousing start by India in the first five overs, a tight over to finish the powerplay makes sure India aren’t runaway winners of the first powerplay. Kiwis fighting back.

Samson wasted his opportunity. And then Virat goes. Stunning catch that from Santner. Stayed in the air for a while and looped nicely. India’s top-order experimentation has gone awry. Rahul meanwhile is in glorious form. Is it time to worry about Samson yet? Even against Sri Lanka he got out in that same manner.

After 5 overs,India 50/2 ( KL Rahul (W) 25 , Shreyas Iyer 1)

Kohli started the over with successive boundaries before he was done in by the combo of lack of pace and extra bounce. Shreyas Iyer joins KLR in the middle. Successful start for Bennett. India despite losing to wickets have scored at 10 runs an over. They reach 50 inside 5 overs.

OUT! Bennett gets his man! Kohli is out. Looks like it was a cross seamer as the ball seems to have a jump a little on him. It was the change of pace along with some extra bounce that climbs on Kohli, who was eyeing to work it on the onside but takes the leading edge towards covers and Santner is in the action once again, he leaps high and to his right to snaffles a superb catch.

Kohli c Santner b Bennett 11(9)

FOUR! Kohli stands upright and opens the face of the bat to run this down past short third for successive boundary.

FOUR! VK brings those delectable wrists into play. On middle and leg from Bennett and Kohli has whipped it to square leg fence.

After 4 overs,India 40/1 ( KL Rahul (W) 24 , Virat Kohli (C) 3)

After Kuggeleijn’s costly first over, captain Southee brings himself on from his end and though KLR is trying to move around in his crease to upset the bowler’s rhythm isn’t successfully able to do so. Southee winds up his opposite number with a back of a length delivery, hitting Kohli in the midriff. Tidy over from Kiwi captain, just five runs from it.

After 3 overs,India 35/1 ( KL Rahul (W) 21 , Virat Kohli (C) 2)

India off to a flier in Wellington, particularly Rahul, after four relatively quiet deliveries from Mitchell Santner, his last two balls costs 10 runs.

FOUR! More runs! This time through the off side. Rahul stays put for a back of a length delivery and flat bats it through extra cover

KL Rahul has now completed 4,000 runs in T20 cricket. His average of 42.10 is the second best among players with atleast 2,000 runs in the format.

SIX! Short in length from Santner and Rahul is on the backfoot in a flash. He pulls it over deep midwicket for a maximum

After 2 overs,India 22/1 ( KL Rahul (W) 10 , Virat Kohli (C) 0)

A six each on either side of Samson’s wicket in Kuggeleijn’s first over. Inconsistent lines and lengths first up, penalised for the second over the shoulder bouncer, including couple of wides in the over, makes it a very expensive affair despite the wicket.

SIX! Rahul makes full use of the free-hit. Kuggeleijn bowls it length wide outside off and Rahul clears his front leg, and throws his hands and hammers it high over wide long off boundary. The shot brings up 4000 T20 runs for KLR.

OUT! Samson, what have you done!? This wasn’t a length ball by Kuggeleijn and hence the shot was certainly not on, but Samson goes for the big across the line swipe, once again eyeing the wide long on boundary but he doesn’t middle it, in fact he gets a leading edge that goes high up in the air and Mitchell Santner from cover does brilliantly to hold on to the catch. The wind factor at Wellington can be really challenging but props to Santner to not lose his focus and take a really tough catch.

Samson c Santner b Kuggeleijn 8(5)

Earlier today, a beautiful fusion of cultures

🔊
The Wellington Maori Cultural Society group and Natraj School of Dance with a cultural fusion at @skystadium before play 👏#culturescombined #NZvIND #cricketnation pic.twitter.com/3zuckX5ZXc

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) January 31, 2020

SIX! You beauty! Samson showcasing his immense talent with an incredible flick shot for a six! Scott Kuggeleijn runs in and bowls it right in the slot on middle and leg stump and Samson plays the pick up shot wonderfully. Great bat swing, brilliant timing – maximum result.

— Tim Southee has taken 13 wickets at Westpac Stadium, Wellington in T20I – the second most by any player at a venue in New Zealand.

— The batting strike rate of 127.53 at Westpac Stadium in Wellington in T20Is is the lowest among all the New Zealand venues.

After 1 overs,India 7/0 ( KL Rahul (W) 4 , Sanju Samson 2)

Southee begins with a wide down the leg side. Rahul is off the mark with a brace on the leg side and he turns the strike over with a single to mid on. Southee still not getting his right line. Samson opens his account with a crisp flick to wide mid on for one. No swing for Southee so far and he has asked the slip fielder to move out. Rahul goes after a short delivery but it doesn’t come off the sweet spot, fortunately for him the ball carries over the mid wicket fielder. Samson ends the over with a single.

MILESTONE ALERT

KL Rahul needs eight more runs to complete 4,000 runs in T20 cricket.

Windy Wellington… it’s almost impossible to walk up to the ground. The wind is relentless here, crazy, nonstop, howling… any other words that come to your mind, use them.

New Zealand have won the their 4th toss in a row and will field first. India are chasing a 5-0 margin. Kane Williamson is injured, while Rohit Sharma, Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja are key names that are rested.

India have a new opening pair… Sanju Samson and KL Rahul. Rishabh Pant is not even getting a look in for a dead rubber. That’s some fall from grace.

Time for Live action!

Big opportunity for Sanju Samson, who has been knocking on the selector’s door since some time now and has got sporadic opportunities, but here he is walking out with KL Rahul to open India’s innings.

Tim Southee is ready with the ball in hand. One wide slip in place.

Meanwhile, Harmanpreet Kaur has led India to a five-wicket win against England in the opening game of the tri series in Canberra. Chcek out the full scorecard here

— The batting first team has a 4-7 win/loss record at Westpac Stadium, Wellington in T20Is.

— India have not lost any of the last six bilateral T20I series. They won five including the ongoing series while one was ended in a draw.

The average score batting first at Westpac Stadium, Wellington in T20Is is 160.

Did you know?

New Zealand have won each of their last six matches at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington.

India XI: Sanju Samson, KL Rahul(w), Virat Kohli(c), Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Navdeep Saini

New Zealand XI: Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Tom Bruce, Ross Taylor, Tim Seifert(w), Mitchell Santner, Scott Kuggeleijn, Tim Southee(c), Ish Sodhi, Hamish Bennett, Daryl Mitchell

Three changes for India as well. 

Rohit Sharma, Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja have been rested and Sanju Samson, Washington Sundar and Navdeep Saini get a game

Tom Bruce comes in for CdG and Daryll Mitchell comes in for Kane, informs stand in skipper Southee at the toss

Time for the Toss!

Tim Southee gives the coin a spin. Virat Kohli calls heads, it is a tail. New Zealand will be fielding first.

— New Zealand have failed to win a match out of their last five T20Is. They lost three while two were ended in a tie which they eventually lost in a super over.

— India have not lost a match out of their last seven T20Is, including one tied match which they eventually won in a super-over and one no result match.

Meanwhile, Kane Williamson has been ruled out of this game due to a left shoulder injury! Massive blow to Kiwi hopes in their quest to end India’s winning run and salvage some pride in the remainder of the series.

It’s Tim Southee, who has led the Black Caps in the shortest format in the recent past, will be walking out alongside Virat Kohli for the toss today.

Well Kohli did hint at a few changes in the Indian team after the third T20I

How about this for the playing XI today? Kohli, Rahul, Iyer, Samson, Pandey, Dube, Washington, Thakur, Chahal, Saini, Bumrah. Rohit for Kohli and Pant for Iyer in the last game. And Kuldeep for Chahal if fit.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 31, 2020

Scott Styris and VVS Laxman analyse the Westpac pitch:

“Like it was at Eden Park, this is a drop-in pitch. There aren’t many footmarks, so don’t expect much assistance for spinners,” says Styris.

“Beautiful pitch to bat on. Rock hard, even though it has even grass cover. Square boundaries are very short, less than 60 metres. Length has to be fuller,” says VVS.

Coming to the weather, there will be some clouds and the conditions will be windy in the day but expect the skies to clear as the day progresses. Click  here  to read the full weather report.

While a five-match T20I series is a rarity, India’s early victory means both sides can contemplate various permutations in light of the T20 World Cup later in the year. From an Indian perspective, the need of the hour is to find a balance between experimentation and the winning desire.  Here’s the preview  of the match.

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the fourth T20I between India and New Zealand at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington. Despite skipper Kane Williamson’s heroic knock of 95, the Kiwis could not get past the finish line, thanks to Mohammed Shami and Rohit Sharma, who combined to pull off a thrilling win via a Super Over in the third T20I. India have taken an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series. With their first T20I series win on New Zealand soil, the Men in Blue will be high on confidence but could look to experiment with the 2020 T20 World Cup in sight.