India cap off World Cup preparation with Kishan century, Arshdeep five-wicket haul

In their final match before defending their T20 World Cup title, India showcased their formidable batting depth. After reaching 102/2 at the halfway stage in Thiruvananthapuram, they unleashed a second-half assault, posting 271/5—their third-highest T20I total. India equalled their record for most sixes in a T20I, hitting 23 in a dominant display against a New Zealand bowling attack well aware of the line-up’s firepower.

With the series focused on fine-tuning ahead of the World Cup, India addressed key areas. Captain Suryakumar Yadav chose to bat first, preparing for potential toss losses in the tournament, and scored his third half-century of the series.

Early setbacks saw Sanju Samson fall for 6 off 6 balls to Lockie Ferguson, who also removed Abhishek Sharma after a brisk 30 off 16 deliveries. However, these wickets did little to slow India’s momentum.

Ishan Kishan staked a strong claim for a World Cup starting spot, blasting a 41-ball century filled with aggressive strokeplay and sixes. Notably, he took over wicketkeeping duties during New Zealand’s chase, despite Samson being listed as the designated keeper.

After a relatively slow start of 54/2 in 6 overs, India accelerated against spin. Suryakumar and Kishan plundered 20 runs off Mitchell Santner in the 10th over, pushing India past 100. The onslaught peaked in the 12th over, where Kishan smashed Ish Sodhi for 29 runs, racing from 47 to 75 in just six balls. He continued unabated, bringing up a century partnership with Suryakumar via another six.

Suryakumar reached his half-century off 26 balls with three consecutive sixes off Jacob Duffy before falling stumped to Santner in the 15th over. Hardik Pandya then entered, hammering 42 runs off 17 balls, including four sixes. Kishan reached his century with two sixes off Santner in the 17th over, as India amassed 169 runs from the last 60 balls.

Chasing 272, New Zealand’s Finn Allen launched a blistering counter-attack, scoring a 22-ball fifty inside the PowerPlay. His aggressive knock, featuring eight fours and six sixes, propelled New Zealand to 79/1 in 6 overs—the highest PowerPlay total against India. Allen continued until the ninth over, dismissed for 80 off 38 balls by Axar Patel. At the midway point, New Zealand were 131/2, ahead of India’s position.

However, sustaining the required rate proved challenging. Axar removed Glenn Phillips in the 11th over, and Arshdeep Singh, after conceding 40 in his first two overs, struck twice in his third, dismissing Rachin Ravindra and Mitchell Santner while giving away just one run.

A brief revival came as Daryl Mitchell and Bevon Jacobs took 22 runs off Jasprit Bumrah, but Varun Chakravarthy cleaned up Jacobs in the next over. Arshdeep then claimed two more wickets in an over, completing a five-wicket haul by removing Kyle Jamieson and Mitchell. Axar wrapped up the tail by dismissing Lockie Ferguson.

Jacob Duffy and Ish Sodhi offered late resistance, including against Bumrah, who finished with 0/58—his most expensive T20 figures. Rinku Singh bowled the final over, taking Sodhi’s wicket to seal a 46-run victory.

Brief Scores:
India 271/5 in 20 overs (Ishan Kishan 103, Suryakumar Yadav 63, Hardik Pandya 42; Lockie Ferguson 2-41) beat New Zealand 225 in 19.4 overs (Finn Allen 80, Ish Sodhi 33; Arshdeep Singh 5-51, Axar Patel 3-33) by 46 runs.