‌AI Simulation, Ind vs NZ | India seal series 4-1 in Thiruvananthapuram as Kishan anchors calm chase

Today at 2:58 PM

As per ChatGPT, India will wrap up the T20I series with a six-wicket win over New Zealand at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday. A disciplined bowling effort restricted New Zealand to 164/7 before a composed chase, led by Ishan Kishan, guided the hosts home.

Pitch and Weather

The surface in Thiruvananthapuram played true to its reputation. The pitch offered some assistance to fast bowlers early with the new ball, particularly under lights, before settling into a good batting wicket. As the evening progressed, dew became a factor, easing stroke play in the second innings. Weather conditions were ideal for cricket, with clear skies and temperatures dropping from the low 30s during the day to the mid-20s by night.

Toss

India won the toss and chose to bowl first, a decision influenced by the expected dew and the recent trend of successful chases at the venue.

Lineups

India: Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah

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

Match Report

Opting to bat first, New Zealand began with positive intent as Finn Allen attacked early boundaries, but the momentum was checked quickly by Jasprit Bumrah’s tight opening spell. Tim Seifert fell inside the powerplay, and Allen followed soon after, mistiming a pull shot as India tightened the screws. Devon Conway anchored the innings from one end, rotating strike and finding the fence when needed, while Glenn Phillips provided brief acceleration through the middle overs.

India’s spinners took control as the innings progressed. Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy slowed the scoring rate, forcing New Zealand’s batters into riskier options. Daryl Mitchell added useful runs, but wickets at regular intervals prevented the visitors from launching a strong finish. A late push from Santner helped New Zealand reach 164/7, though it felt slightly below par given the conditions.

India’s reply began briskly. Abhishek Sharma played freely in the powerplay, taking advantage of width and pace, while Ishan Kishan settled quickly at the other end. The opening stand laid a solid platform before Abhishek was dismissed trying to clear the infield. Kishan continued to control the tempo, combining with Sanju Samson and later Suryakumar Yadav to keep the required rate in check.

New Zealand’s bowlers showed discipline, with Matt Henry and Ish Sodhi picking up wickets, but the dew made defending difficult. Suryakumar shifted gears with calculated aggression, targeting the spinners, before Hardik Pandya finished the chase with confident stroke play. India crossed the line at 168/4 in 18.5 overs, sealing another comfortable chase.