‌AI Simulation, IND vs NZ | India cruise to series win as Suryakumar controls the chase in Visakhapatnam

Today at 5:34 PM

As per ChatGPT, India will extend their lead against New Zealand with a composed six-wicket win at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam on January 28. After restricting New Zealand to a moderate total, a calm half-century from Suryakumar Yadav saw the hosts chase the target easily.

Pitch and Weather

Visakhapatnam offered a typical white-ball surface: even bounce, a hard new ball early, and gradual slowing as the match went on. Batting was easiest during the first half of each innings, while spinners found more grip once the ball softened. As expected, evening dew made the surface slightly skiddy in the second innings, reducing control for bowlers. Conditions were warm and humid, around 25°C, with no rain interruptions.

Toss

India won the toss and elected to bowl first, continuing the trend at the venue where chasing sides have found it easier to manage totals under lights.

Lineups

India: Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh

New Zealand: Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (wk), Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Bevon Jacobs, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner (c), Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy, Ish Sodhi

Match Report

Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, India struck early and set the tone inside the Powerplay. Arshdeep Singh made the initial breakthrough by removing Finn Allen with a length ball that held up slightly off the surface, forcing the opener into a mistimed shot. Tim Seifert struggled to find fluency at the other end and fell soon after while attempting to force the pace against Harshit Rana, leaving New Zealand two down before the field restrictions ended.

Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell were tasked with rebuilding the innings and did so with a period of controlled batting. Phillips looked to counterattack, picking his moments to clear the infield, while Mitchell focused on strike rotation. The pair added a steady partnership through the middle overs, but momentum was again indicate when Kuldeep Yadav was introduced. The left-arm spinner deceived Phillips in flight, inducing a mis-hit that brought an end to the stand. Ravi Bishnoi then tightened the screws further, conceding very little and forcing New Zealand’s batters to take risks.

Mitchell continued to hold one end, but wickets fell around him as Chapman and Jacobs failed to convert starts. Santner provided brief resistance late in the innings, but India’s control in the death overs ensured New Zealand were restricted to 156/8 — a total that felt slightly below par on a surface that offered consistent bounce and value for shots.

India’s chase began with intent as Abhishek Sharma took on the new ball, using his reach to target the straight boundary. Ishan Kishan played a supporting role early, rotating strike and allowing Abhishek to dictate the tempo. The opening stand put immediate pressure on New Zealand’s quicks before Matt Henry struck back with a sharp delivery to dismiss Abhishek.

Kishan followed soon after, edging behind while attempting to lift the scoring rate, but by then India were well placed. Suryakumar Yadav entered with clarity and control, settling quickly and finding gaps with minimal risk. He built a crucial partnership with Hardik Pandya, who played a measured innings and punished loose deliveries whenever the bowlers erred.

As dew began to settle, New Zealand found it increasingly difficult to grip the ball and control lengths. Santner attempted to slow the game with spin, but the lack of turn limited his impact. After Pandya’s dismissal, Rinku Singh ensured there were no late hiccups, rotating strike and finishing the chase alongside Suryakumar.

India crossed the target in the 19th over, completing a comfortable six-wicket win and confirming their dominance in the series. The match followed a familiar pattern seen throughout the tour, with India controlling key phases and New Zealand unable to sustain pressure for long enough to shift momentum.