India chase 226 to beat New Zealand in first T20I

India beat New Zealand by four wickets in the opening T20I after chasing a target of 226 in Christchurch, taking a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. India reached 230 for six in 19.4 overs, finishing with two balls remaining. Sanju Samson scored 67 from 33 balls, striking eight fours and four sixes to give India a rapid start. He reached his half-century from 23 deliveries before New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner dismissed him in the ninth over. Samson’s innings helped India build early momentum, but his departure was followed by a middle-order wobble. India had raced to 94 for one in the powerplay, with Samson and opening partner Abhishek Sharma putting on 82 runs. Sharma made 29 from 12 balls before Michael Bracewell dismissed him. New Zealand then took further wickets as the chase tightened, including Samson, Tilak Varma and Ishan Kishan. Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel steadied India with a 45-run partnership. Iyer scored 42 from 28 balls and Patel made 24 before both were dismissed. Naman Dhir then supplied the decisive late acceleration, making an unbeaten 42 from 15 deliveries. He hit the winning six as India completed the chase in the 20th over. Earlier, New Zealand...