In the fourth Twenty20 International between India and New Zealand at the ACAVDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam, veteran left, arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav was the key figure with the ball, holding back New Zealands momentum for a short while. Despite the visitors eventually winning the match by 50 runs, Kuldeeps economy and wickets will be remembered as the main highlight of a Black Caps innings that seemed to be out of control at times.

New Zealand started the innings very well and were already 100 for no loss after 8. 1 overs. At that time, the visitors looked like scoring a very big total on the board. However, Kuldeep improvised the game by using subtle variations and clever flight to induce a collapse. He got Devon Conway out with a well, disguised slower delivery which trapped the batter in front of the wicket, and also managed to get the highly sought, after wicket of Glenn Phillips right after that. Phillipss dismissal was when he tried to chip the slower ball to long, on where Rinku Singh took a brilliant catch.

Middle Overs Fightback

Kuldeep getting wickets to his name was also accompanied by a stop in the run, scoring as New Zealands blazing momentum was checked. The Black Caps who were immaculate and aggressive with 100/0 came down to 137/4 in 13. 4 overs and later were 152/5 in 15. 1 overs as India managed to get back into the game and a series of breakthroughs resulted from Kuldeeps spin bowling which triggered the other bowlers. His showing underlined the

However, these wickets did not deter the Black Caps as the lower middle order came in and helped them to a very competitive 215 for 7, thus, giving a huge target to India to chase.Although Indias batsmen came out to fend with a bit of the fighting spirit, they were not able to forge reliable partnerships against a bowling attack that was disciplined all through by the visitors.

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Broader Match Context

Shivam Dubes 65 runs off just 23 deliveries was a screaming highlight for India during this chase but, it was too little, too late against a tough New Zealand total. The visitors 50, run victory has made the series score 31 in Indias favour, with only one match left to be played in Thiruvananthapuram on 31 January 2026.