Christchurch: Sanju Samson slammed a blistering 67 while Naman Dhir played a stellar finishing knock to steer India to a four-wicket victory over New Zealand in the first T20I on Thursday, scripting the country’s highest-ever successful run chase in the shortest format.

Chasing a daunting target of 226, India crossed the finish line reaching 230/6 in 19.4 overs at Hagley Oval, taking a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. Samson led the charge at the top with a rapid 67 off 33 balls, well-supported by Abhishek Sharma’s aggressive 29 off 12 deliveries.

Earlier, asked to bat first, New Zealand posted an imposing 225/4 in their allotted 20 overs. Glenn Phillips anchored the hosts’ innings with an explosive, unbeaten 82 off 40 balls, aided by a fluent 45 from Finn Allen.

Despite a middle-order wobble, Shreyas Iyer contributed a crucial 42. Naman Dhir then held his nerve under pressure, hammering an unbeaten 42 off just 15 balls to seal the record-breaking win with two balls to spare.