New Zealand Create T20I History, Hit Fastest Team Fifty Against India

New Zealand registered the quickest team fifty against India, beating out South Africa’s record in the shortest format of the game.

New Zealand reached the 50-run mark in 3.1 overs, beating South Africa’s

previous fastest, when they reached the landmark in just 3.5 overs at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium in 2025.

New Zealand also reached 79 at the end of the powerplay overs (from 1 to 6), which is their highest-ever in T20Is.

Ishan Kishan’s Maiden 100

Earlier, Ishan Kishan’s explosive 42-ball century, accompanied by captain Suryakumar Yadav’s impressive 63, propelled India to a formidable 271/5 from their 20 overs.

India’s innings featured 23 sixes, equaling their record for the most in a T20I. Kishan took charge after the early dismissals of Abhishek Sharma and local favourite Sanju Samson during the powerplay. His partnership with Suryakumar, amassing 137 runs, thoroughly dismantled New Zealand’s bowling attack and shifted the momentum firmly in India’s favour.

Despite Suryakumar’s dismissal by Mitchell Santner after reaching his half-century, Kishan continued his onslaught, achieving his first T20I century with 103 runs off 43 balls, including six fours and ten sixes, at a strike rate of 239.53. Hardik Pandya added a brisk 42 off 17 balls to push India’s total past 270, marking their third-highest score in the format.

Choosing to bat first, India began aggressively with Abhishek Sharma’s quick 24 off nine balls, hitting boundaries off Jacob Duffy and Kyle Jamieson. However, Samson’s struggles continued as he was dismissed for six, edging Lockie Ferguson to deep third man, much to the home crowd’s disappointment.

Abhishek, looking dangerous, was bowled by Ferguson for 30 off 16 deliveries. At 48/2 in the fifth over, India needed momentum, which Kishan provided with his counter-attacking approach. He and Suryakumar took control, particularly punishing Santner in the 10th over with a flurry of boundaries and sixes, accumulating 20 runs.

Kishan, targeting the leg-side, reached his fifty off 28 balls by punishing Ish Sodhi with three fours and two sixes in a 29-run over. Suryakumar achieved his third fifty of the series in 27 balls, hitting three sixes off Duffy in the 14th over.

Santner eventually broke the partnership by stumping Suryakumar for 63 off 30 balls. Kishan continued, hitting successive sixes off Santner to reach his maiden T20I century in 42 balls, before being caught at square leg off Duffy for 103.

Hardik added finishing touches with a fiery 42 off 17 balls, including a four and three sixes. Shivam Dube hit the final six of the innings off the last ball, with 21 runs coming off the final over. Kishan’s performance may have secured his spot in India’s T20 World Cup squad for the opening game against the USA at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.