Dhir's unbeaten 42 powers India to record T20I chase

India chased 226 to beat New Zealand by four wickets in the first T20I at Christchurch, with Naman Dhir’s unbeaten 42 off 15 balls helping secure the win with two deliveries remaining. The result gave India their highest successful run chase in T20I cricket and a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. Dhir came to the crease with India at 167 for five, needing 59 runs from 33 balls. He struck five fours and two sixes, scoring at a rate of 280 runs per 100 balls. His innings surpassed Irfan Pathan’s 33, made in 2009, for the highest score by an Indian batter at No. 7 or lower in a successful T20I chase. The chase began with a 93-run opening stand between Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma. Samson made 67 from 33 balls, while Abhishek scored 29 from 12. India then lost wickets in the middle overs, but captain Shreyas Iyer contributed 42 from 28 balls before Dhir took charge of the finish. Iyer praised Dhir’s composure after the match and said his ability to bat and bowl gave the team flexibility. India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak also described Dhir as a promising all-rounder who understands his role and can contribute with the bat, ball and in the field. Those assessments reflect...