Shivam Dube’The explosive act of the lone warrior proved insufficient as New Zealand broken India’winning streak with a decisive 50-run victory at 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, lack of support from the other end saw India’s chase lose steam as wickets fell at regular intervals. The defeat ends India’s hopes of a perfect 5-0 sweep, although they still hold a 3-1 lead in the five-match series. New Zealand’s clinical performance with bat and ball eventually rewarded them with their first win of the tour.
Shivam Dube’s fiery knock for India during the fourth T20I went in vain
Dube turned ACA-VDCA Stadium into a shooting range, briefly igniting hopes of a miracle with a career-defining 65 in just 23 balls. Entering the crease at 63/4, Dube immediately changed the pressure on the bowlers, dismantling the spin of ish sodhi in a run of 29 that included three huge 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-innings rampage.
However, the brilliance was cut short in the 15th minute by an extremely unfortunate blow on the non-striker’s side. Harshit Rana pushed a ball directly towards the bowler matt henrywho managed to deflect the leather towards the stumps as Dube backed away from his crease. The umpire signaled and with Dube’s departure, India’s resistance effectively evaporated as they still needed 71 runs off the final 30 balls. His innings, which included seven sixes and three fours, served as a masterclass in power batting but ultimately lacked the partnership needed to cross the finish line. Dube left to a standing ovation, although his face told the story of a missed opportunity to carry out one of the biggest chases in Indian history.
SEE ALSO: IND vs NZ: Hardik Pandya’s shot put ends Mitchell Santner’s innings during 4th T20I in Vizag
New Zealand dominance ends India’s winning streak in ongoing T20I series
New Zealand’s victory was built on a massive first innings total of 215/7, powered by Tim SeifertThe aggressive 62 and a late flowering of Daryl Mitchell (39*). The Indian bowling unit, which had dominated all the series, struggled early on as the Kiwis reached 100 for no 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 fall to 152/5. Despite the comeback, Rana’s costly finish, where he conceded 14 runs, allowed the visitors to set a target that required a record effort from the hosts.
India’s response was disastrous from the beginning, as Abhishek Sharma I fell in love with a golden duck matt henry and Suryakumar Yadav He was dismissed for 8 by Jacob Duffy. Hardik Pandya and Sanju Samson They failed to capitalize on their starts, leaving the score at a dismal 84/5 halfway through. Mitchell Santner He led his team brilliantly, finishing with figures of 2/14 and orchestrating the departure of his counterpart to keep India in check. The Indian tail failed to budge against Henry’s pace and Sodhi’s spin, and were eventually bowled out for 165 in 18.4 overs. This comprehensive 50-run victory not only saved the Kiwis from a whitewash but also exposed cracks in the Indian chase management under extreme scoreboard pressure.
This is how the fans reacted:
Abhishek, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Verma, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh: India’s left-handed batsman platoon has been almost unstoppable in T20
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) January 28, 2026
No! 💔
It’s not that it’s over! 🥲
It hits so GOAT you could only have come out that way, Dube! 💪🏻#whistlepodu #INDvNZ– Kings of Chennai (@ChennaiIPL) January 28, 2026
Shivam Dube is the batsman who gets the least recognition. But he is actually one of the most consistent middle-order hitters.
We must not forget that even in important games he plays well.
27 (16) in the final of the 2024 T20 World Cup
33 (22) in the Asia Cup finalAnd India won both matches only 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 players who has improved the most in the format, both with the bat and the ball.
He is quietly becoming a truly useful player for the World Cup. ❤️
– Bhawana (@cricbhawana) January 28, 2026
50 off only 15 balls. Strike rate 346. Spin bowlers, fast bowlers, whatever Zak Foulkes plays, the man hits them all without any discrimination. Shivam Dube, we are seated.
– Heisenberg ☢ (@internetumpire) January 28, 2026
What a terrible way to end the entries. Shivam Dube was all set to make us witness a memorable chase. Sad.
– Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) January 28, 2026
New Zealand wins the fourth T20I by 50 runs in Vizag.#TeamIndia lead the series 3⃣-1⃣
Dashboard ▶️ https://t.co/GVkrQKKyd6 #INDvNZ | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/zkfXdvEwGD
-BCCI (@BCCI) January 28, 2026
AN ICONIC BLOW FROM SHIVAM DUBE 65 (23).
ENDS WITH A RUN AT THE NON-FRONT END. 💔 pic.twitter.com/HbLZNsvHaP
-Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 28, 2026
INDIANS’ FASTEST FIFTY 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 victory 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
