Shivam Dube’s explosive lone-warrior act proved insufficient as New Zealand snapped India’s winning streak with a decisive 50-run victory in Visakhapatnam. Chasing a mammoth target of 216, the Indian top order crumbled early under the lights, leaving the middle order with a mountainous task against a disciplined Kiwi attack. Despite Dube’s historic 15-ball half-century, the lack of support from the other end saw India’s chase lose steam as wickets tumbled at regular intervals. The defeat ends India’s hopes for a perfect 5-0 sweep, though they still hold a 3-1 lead in the five-match series. New Zealand’s clinical performance with both bat and ball finally rewarded them with their first win of the tour.

Shivam Dube’s blazing knock for India during 4th T20I in vain

Dube turned the ACA-VDCA Stadium into a hitting range, briefly igniting hopes of a miracle with a career-defining 65 off just 23 balls. Entering the crease at 63/4, Dube immediately shifted the pressure onto the bowlers, dismantling the spin of Ish Sodhi in a 29-run over that included three massive sixes and two boundaries. He reached his fifty in a staggering 15 deliveries, marking the third-fastest T20I half-century for India and keeping the asking rate within reach during his mid-inning rampage.

However, the brilliance was cut short in the 15th over by a stroke of extreme misfortune at the non-striker’s end. Harshit Rana drove a ball straight back at bowler Matt Henry, who managed to deflect the leather onto the stumps while Dube was backing up out of his crease. The umpire signaled out, and with Dube’s departure, India’s resistance effectively evaporated, as they were still needing 71 runs from the final 30 balls. His innings, which featured seven sixes and three fours, served as a masterclass in power-hitting but ultimately lacked the partnership needed to cross the finish line. Dube walked off to a standing ovation, though his face told the story of a missed opportunity to pull off one of India’s greatest-ever chases.

Also WATCH: IND vs NZ : Hardik Pandya’s bullet throw brings an end to Mitchell Santner’s innings during 4th T20I in Vizag

New Zealand dominance ends India’s winning streak in the ongoing T20I series

New Zealand’s victory was built on the foundation of a massive first-innings total of 215/7, powered by Tim Seifert’s aggressive 62 and a late flourish from Daryl Mitchell (39*). The Indian bowling unit, which had been dominant all series, struggled early as the Kiwis raced to 100 without loss in just 8.2 overs. Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav were the pick of the bowlers, claiming 2 wickets each and executing a brief middle-order squeeze that saw New Zealand slip to 152/5. Despite the fightback, Rana’s expensive final over, where he conceded 14 runs, allowed the visitors to set a target that required a record-breaking effort from the hosts.

India’s response was disastrous from the start, as Abhishek Sharma fell for a golden duck to Matt Henry and Suryakumar Yadav was dismissed for 8 by Jacob Duffy. Hardik Pandya and Sanju Samson failed to capitalize on their starts, leaving the scoreboard at a dismal 84/5 at the halfway mark. Mitchell Santner led his side brilliantly, finishing with figures of 2/14 and orchestrating the run-out of his counterpart to keep India under the thumb. The Indian tail failed to wag against the pace of Henry and the spin of Sodhi, eventually being bundled out for 165 in 18.4 overs. This comprehensive 50-run win not only saved the Kiwis from a whitewash but also exposed cracks in the Indian chase-management under extreme scoreboard pressure.

Here’s how fans reacted: 

Abhishek, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Verma, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh – India’s platoon of left-hand batters have been near unstoppable in T20

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) January 28, 2026

Noo! 💔
Not that run out! 🥲
Knock so GOATed, you could’ve only gotten out that way, Dube! 💪🏻#WhistlePodu #INDvNZ

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) January 28, 2026

Shivam Dube is the batter who gets the least recognition. But in reality he is one of the most consistent middle order batsmen.

Not to forget, even in big matches he plays well.

27(16) in 2024 T20 WC Final
33(22) in Asia Cup Final

And India won both matches just by a margin. pic.twitter.com/oAnyRVFlCq

— Selfless⁴⁵ (@SelflessCricket) January 28, 2026

People used to troll Shivam Dube a lot, but the way he has grown in T20Is deserves credit. Currently, he is one of the most improved players in the format, both with the bat and ball.

Quietly turning into a genuine utility player for the World Cup. ❤️

— Bhawana (@cricbhawana) January 28, 2026

50 off just 15 balls. 346 strike rate. Spin bowlers, fast bowlers, whatever Zak Foulkes bowls, man’s hitting everyone without any discrimination. Shivam Dube, we’re seated.

— Heisenberg ☢ (@internetumpire) January 28, 2026

What a terrible way to end the innings. Shivam Dube was all set to make us witness a memorable chase. Sad.

— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) January 28, 2026

New Zealand win the 4th T20I by 50 runs in Vizag.#TeamIndia lead the series 3⃣-1⃣

Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/GVkrQKKyd6 #INDvNZ | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/zkfXdvEwGD

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 28, 2026

AN ICONIC KNOCK FROM SHIVAM DUBE 65 (23).

ENDS WITH A RUN OUT AT NON STRIKER’S END. 💔 pic.twitter.com/HbLZNsvHaP

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 28, 2026

FASTEST FIFTY BY INDIANS IN T20I HISTORY:

Yuvraj Singh – 12 balls.

Abhishek Sharma – 14 balls.

Shivam Dube – 15* balls. pic.twitter.com/QTFGapLaJt

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 28, 2026

Convincing win for New Zealand in the 4th T20I 🔥#Cricket #INDvsNZ #MitchellSantner pic.twitter.com/E6M4KdzDPS

— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) January 28, 2026

Also READ: IND vs NZ: Fans slam Gautam Gambhir as Shreyas Iyer misses out again in India XI for 4th T20I in Visakhapatnam

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Suryakumar Yadav (AP Photo)

India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav, left, shakes hand with New Zealand’s captain Mitchel Santner (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)

Suryakumar Yadav (AP Photo)

India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav, left, shakes hand with New Zealand’s captain Mitchel Santner (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)

Suryakumar Yadav (AP Photo)

NEW DELHI: Team India captain Suryakumar Yadav spoke openly after his team suffered a 50-run defeat against New Zealand in the fourth T20 International on Wednesday. Despite the loss, Suryakumar said the match was part of a bigger plan as the team looked to test itself in pressure situations ahead of the World Cup.India chose to chase after winning the toss, even though they have enjoyed success while batting first in recent matches.

Suryakumar explained that the decision was taken to push the batters and make them take responsibility while chasing big totals.“I feel we purposely played six batters today. We wanted to have five perfect bowlers and wanted to challenge ourselves. Like for example, if we’re chasing 200 or 180, and we wanted to see if we were two down or three down, how does it look? But then it’s fine at the end of the day. And we wanted to play all the players who are part of the World Cup squad. Otherwise, we would have played other ones,” he said in the post-match presentation.He added that the team wanted to test its ability while batting second. “We’ve been batting really well when we’ve batted first. So I wanted the guys to take that responsibility if we’re chasing 180 or 200, and two wickets or three wickets are down and see how we bat. So it’s a good challenge. Hopefully if we get an opportunity again, we might chase again. But at the end of the day, good learning,” Suryakumar added.New Zealand made full use of the batting conditions and posted 215 for seven. Tim Seifert scored a quick 62, and Devon Conway added 44 as the visitors raced to 100 in just over eight overs. India fought back later as Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav took two wickets each. Daryl Mitchell then gave New Zealand a late boost with an unbeaten 39 off 18 balls.India’s chase never fully settled despite a strong counterattack. Shivam Dube smashed 65 off 23 balls, while Rinku Singh made 39. However, wickets kept falling, and India were bowled out for 165 in 18.4 overs. New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner starred with the ball, finishing with figures of 3 for 26.

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