Team India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson endured another frustrating outing in the shortest format after hitting an emphatic boundary in the ongoing 4th T20I against New Zealand at Eden Park, Auckland.
Samson, walking out to open the massive chase of 260 alongside Abhishek Sharma, aimed to set the tone immediately but perished within seconds.
Opening bowler Jacob Duffy started proceedings with a testing line. Samson stamped his presence on the opening delivery, beautifully dispatching an overpitched ball straight down the ground through mid-off for four. However, the joy proved remarkably short-lived.
Duffy corrected his length right away on the second ball, angling a fullish, seam-up delivery just outside the off stump. Samson attempted an expansive drive on the up without substantial footwork, only managing a thick outside edge that flew straight into the gloves of wicketkeeper Tim Seifert. Samson departed after scoring four runs off two deliveries, leaving the dugout stunned.
How the 4th T20I has unfolded so far at Eden Park
The high-scoring confines of Eden Park witnessed an absolute run-fest in the first innings after India skipper Shreyas Iyer won the toss and opted to bowl. Despite Mayank Yadav striking three crucial blows (3/48) to keep the Blackcaps at 112/4 in 10.4 overs, Glenn Phillips went on a rampage.
Phillips hammered a blistering 107 off just 49 deliveries, punctuated by his third fifty-plus score of the bilateral contest. He combined with Michael Bracewell, who smashed a whirlwind 65 off 25 balls, helping New Zealand rack up a mammoth 259/7 in their 20 overs.
The innings also saw India concede 200-plus runs for the 11th time in T20 cricket in 2026, marking the most by any team in a single calendar year.
In response, India’s steep chase unraveled straight away in Duffy’s opening over. After removing Samson on the second delivery, Duffy caught Ishan Kishan off his own bowling two balls later, leaving the visitors reeling at 4/2.
Regardless of the eventual result in Auckland, the outcome carries no consequence for the series ledger, as India have already secured an unassailable lead and will pocket the trophy ahead of the finale.
Looking for fast live cricket scores? Download CricRocket and get fast score updates, top-notch commentary in-depth match stats & much more! 🚀☄️
Edited by Ankush Das
