Sanju Samson, India’s opening batter, once again failed to make an impact in the T20I series against New Zealand. He was dismissed by Mitchell Santner in the fourth match of the five-game series, being played on Wednesday, January 28, in Visakhapatnam.

Samson scored 24 runs off 15 balls, hitting three fours and one six. His wicket put India in trouble at 55 for 3 after 6.4 overs. So far in the series, the 31-year-old has scored only 40 runs in four innings, with an average of 10.

The dismissal came on the fourth ball of the seventh over. Santner bowled a 95.3 kph length ball from around the wicket, pitching near the middle stump. Samson tried to play a shot but missed. The ball moved slightly, beat the outside edge, and hit the stumps.

Watch the video here:

Sanju Samson struggled again today, and it hurts even more when the last few matches haven’t gone his way either.

Not doubting the talent, just feeling the pain as a fan.💔

Hoping this tough phase ends soon.
pic.twitter.com/AR9fmL2Elp

— Manoj (@Jvm_Manoj) January 28, 2026

India in Trouble After Early Wickets in 4th T20I

India found themselves in trouble after losing quick wickets in the fourth T20I against New Zealand at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam, on Wednesday. Chasing a big target of 216, the hosts had a poor start.

India lost Abhishek Sharma on the very first ball of the innings. Captain Suryakumar Yadav also failed to score big and was out for eight runs from eight balls.

Also read -New Zealand claim their record T20I win in India during IND vs NZ 4th T20I

Samson and Rinku Add Brief Resistance

Sanju Samson and Rinku Singh tried to steady the innings. The pair added 46 runs from 28 balls for the third wicket. However, Samson was dismissed for 24 runs from 15 balls.

Hardik Pandya also could not help the team, as he got out for just two runs from five balls.

At the halfway stage, India were 77 for 4. Rinku Singh was unbeaten on 35, while Shivam Dube was on eight. India still needed 139 runs from 60 balls.

Earlier in the match, New Zealand batters put up a strong total. Tim Seifert played a fine knock of 62 runs from 36 balls. Devon Conway supported him with 44 runs from 23 balls.

Later, Daryl Mitchell was not out on 39 runs from 18 balls, helping New Zealand finish at 215 for 7 in 20 overs.

India Falls Short Despite Dube’s Effort

India failed to chase the target as most of their batters struggled. Shivam Dube tried his best to bring India back into the game, but it was not enough. India lost the match by 50 runs, giving New Zealand a big win in Visakhapatnam.

Visitors New Zealand finally claimed their first win of the five-match T20I series against the hosts India, as the Blackcaps are now trailing the series by 3–1 with one match yet to be played. 

On Wednesday night (January 28), India chose to field first after winning the toss at Visakhapatnam. While New Zealand scored 215/7 in 20 overs, India were all out for 165 runs, as New Zealand won by 50 runs.

It was New Zealand's second-largest T20I win against India by runs, as the Blackcaps' record was the 80-run victory during the 2019 Wellington T20I. It was also India's third-largest T20I defeat by runs. 

New Zealand got powerful start

New Zealand got a powerful start with a 100-run partnership for the first wicket in only 8.2 overs by the openers Devon Conway and Tim Seifert. While Conway scored 44 off 23 balls with four fours and three sixes, Tim scored 62 off 36 balls with seven fours and three sixes. 

Although New Zealand were losing wickets at regular intervals since the first-wicket partnership break, Glenn Phillips (24) and Daryl Mitchell (39*) had some useful cameos. Mitchell scored 39 not out off 18 balls with two fours and three sixes. 

Among the Indian bowlers, Arshdeep Singh (2/33) and Kuldeep Yadav (2/39) picked up two wickets each. 

Watch: Shivam Dube faces unfortunate run-out dismissal for 65 during IND vs NZ 4th T20I

Shivam Dube's storm wasn't enough

In reply, opener Abhishek Sharma scored a golden duck, which remained India's fate for the entire innings. Four Indian batters managed to reach double-digit scores, who were Sanju Samson (24), Rinku Singh (39), Ravi Bishnoi (10*), along with Shivam Dube, who played a fiery knock of 65 in just 23 balls with three fours and seven sixes.  

In the 12th over, India scored 29 runs, where Shivam Dube slammed three sixes and two fours to the leg-spinner Ish Sodhi. But there weren't enough supporting innings, as the hosts suffered a big defeat, while already securing the series.

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner finished with the bowling figures of 4-0-26-3, while Jacob Duffy (2/33) and Ish Sodhi (2/46) got two wickets each.