Kishan sets up a stunning chase, Surya finishes it off

Both batters scored brilliant fifties as India chased down NZ's total of 208 with 28 balls to spare

- Somshuvra Laha

It wasn't the only comeback of the day though as India skipper Suryakumar Yadav also got to his first fifty in 24 T20I innings. It ended a barren run which stretched all the way back to October 2024.

Ishan put India in the driver's seat but it was Surya, unbeaten on a pretty brisk 37-ball 82, who finished things off and the knock will go a long way towards restoring some of his lost confidence.

Surya chose to bowl because he wanted to test the team's chasing temperament. But with Jasprit Bumrah rested and injured Axar Patel benched, it proved to be a costly affair as Rachin Ravindra and Mitchell Santner hit brisk forties to set India an asking rate of over 10.

India lost Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma in the space of three deliveries to be reduced to 6/2 but Kishan, in the company of Surya, knocked the wind out of New Zealand's sails as India won by seven wickets and 28 balls to spare.

The third wicket partnership was worth 122 runs but Suryakumar, playing the anchor role, contributed just 39 runs in it because of the one-man show put up by Kishan.