In a high-scoring spectacle at Nagpur’s VCA Stadium, India outclassed New Zealand by 48 runs in the first T20I, courtesy of Abhishek Sharma’s blistering knock. Batting first after losing the toss, India posted 238/7, led by the young gun’s 84 from 35 deliveries packed with fireworks.
The innings wobbled at 27/2, but Abhishek’s third-wicket partnership of 99 runs with Suryakumar Yadav (32 off 22) steadied the ship. Abhishek’s eight sixes and five fours were a sight to behold, dismantling the Kiwi attack.
Post that, Hardik Pandya’s 25 and Rinku Singh’s unbeaten 44 off 20—featuring aggressive boundaries—ensured a daunting total. Duffy and Jamieson took two wickets apiece for NZ, struggling against the onslaught.
New Zealand’s chase imploded early: Conway out for 0, Ravindra for 1. A 51-run stand between Phillips and Robinson offered hope, but at 52/3, momentum shifted. Phillips’ 78 off 40, with Chapman adding 39 in a 79-run alliance, kept them alive till 131/4.
Yet, Mitchell’s 28 and Santner’s 20* fell short at 190/7. India’s bowlers shone: Chakaravarthy and Dube with twin strikes, supported by Arshdeep, Pandya, and Patel. This emphatic victory hands India the series lead, spotlighting their batting depth and bowling nous.