Seifert hits fifty inside 10 overs in fourth ODI, first such feat against India since 1999

New Zealand opener Tim Seifert batted brilliantly in the fourth ODI against India, completing fifty runs within the first ten overs.

Shreyas Iyer is captaining the Indian side in this match. He won the toss and chose to bowl first. India were expected to pick up early wickets, but that did not happen. New Zealand's two openers, Tim Seifert and Will Young, gave the side a strong start. India did not get a single wicket in the first ten overs.

Akib Nabi and Arshdeep Singh created chances in this period, but India could not make use of them. Poor fielding was the reason, and it is becoming a big problem for the team. Rohit Sharma dropped two catches at slip. Wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan also put down one catch.

Seifert's fifty recalls an old record. This is the first time since 1999 that a New Zealand batter has completed a fifty against India in the first ten overs. Before this, Bryan Young had come close in January 1999. He scored 47 off 35 balls but could not complete fifty. Seifert made up for that.

It is also notable that New Zealand crossed fifty in the first ten overs for the first time in 17 ODIs. Earlier, in 2025 in Wellington against England, New Zealand had scored 64 without losing a wicket. Will Young and Tim Seifert played a big part in taking the team to this mark in the first ten overs.

After reaching fifty, Seifert was trying to continue batting, but Gurnoor Brar ended his innings. Seifert scored 58 off 48 balls with six fours and three sixes. His strike rate was about 120. New Zealand were 85 in 12 overs when they lost their first wicket.

A social media post said Seifert took 14 runs off one Brar over. A heated exchange followed between Gurnoor and Seifert. According to the post, Gurnoor said, "You are lucky today, that is why you are playing like this." Seifert replied, "Go and bowl, I always play like this."