India chase down record 226 to beat New Zealand in Christchurch T20I

India chased down 226 to beat New Zealand by four wickets at Christchurch -- their highest successful T20I chase. Sanju Samson hit 67 off 33 and Naman Dhir's unbeaten 42 off 15 sealed it with two balls to spare.

India completed their highest-ever successful run chase in men's T20 internationals, beating New Zealand by four wickets at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, on Thursday to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. Chasing New Zealand's 225 for 4 -- itself the Black Caps' biggest T20 total against India on home soil -- India finished on 230 for 6 in 19.4 overs.

Sanju Samson set the chase alight with 67 off 33 balls, including eight fours and four sixes, in a 93-run opening stand with Abhishek Sharma, who struck the first ball he faced for six. New Zealand hit back through spin, removing three quick wickets, before captain Shreyas Iyer's 42 off 28 balls steadied the innings and Naman Dhir's unbeaten 42 off 15 balls finished the job with two balls to spare.

Earlier, Glenn Phillips had powered the hosts to 225 with an unbeaten 82 off 40 deliveries, with Finn Allen blasting 45 off 24 and Bevon Jacobs adding 31 before being run out. India's bowlers all went at ten an over or more, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar endured an expensive return to T20Is, going for 49 runs. The second T20I is in Christchurch on Saturday.