Shivam Dube’s super fifty in vain as New Zealand beat India by 50 runs in 4th T20I

Despite a brilliant half-century from Shivam Dube, India lost to New Zealand by 50 runs in the fourth T20 match this Wednesday. Dube played an incredible knock, scoring 65 runs off just 23 balls with seven sixes. However, the rest of the team struggled to chase the massive target of 216. India was eventually bowled out for 165, which brings the five-match series score to 3-1.

Team India’s Difficult Chase

With Ishan Kishan out due to injury, the pressure was on Abhishek Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav. Unfortunately, Abhishek was out on the very first ball, and the captain, Suryakumar, followed shortly after, leaving India at a dismal 9 for 2.

Rinku Singh and Sanju Samson tried to stabilize the innings but couldn’t score fast enough. Later, after Hardik Pandya also failed to make an impact, India was struggling at 82 for 5. Dube then took charge, playing without fear even as the required run rate climbed. He famously hammered 29 runs in a single over from Ish Sodhi. His fighting spirit ended in bad luck when a straight hit from his partner, Harshit Rana, deflected off the bowler’s hand and hit the stumps, catching Dube out at the non-striker’s end.

New Zealand’s Explosive Start

Earlier in the day, Tim Seifert led the way for the hosts. He scored a rapid 62, starting his innings by hitting three consecutive boundaries off Arshdeep Singh. Alongside Devon Conway (44), he helped New Zealand reach 71 runs within the first six overs.

The pair put on a 100-run opening partnership before India’s spinners, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravi Bishnoi, managed to slow things down. Although India took four quick wickets in the middle overs to put on some pressure, Daryl Mitchell’s late cameo of 39 runs helped the Black Caps cross the 200-run mark.