In a clinical display, India outclassed New Zealand by 48 runs in the series opener at Nagpur’s VCA Stadium, taking a 1-0 lead. Captain Suryakumar Yadav was all smiles post-match, crediting the batting firepower that laid the foundation for victory.
‘Delivering a strong total always pays dividends,’ Suryakumar observed. ‘Dew on the pitch? That’s gold for the chasing side – or in this case, for us defending. Post-powerplay, we didn’t buckle; every batter played their role, keeping the momentum alive without recklessness.’
Contributing 32 runs himself, SKY was in sublime touch. ‘Stepping in felt natural,’ he shared. ‘Perfect timing for me to unleash. These pitches suit my game, nets have been productive, and I’ve honed exactly those strokes over recent weeks.’
The skipper also spotlighted fielding improvements. ‘It’s an ongoing focus – we strive for excellence every outing. The commitment out there was top-notch.’
New Zealand’s Mitchell Santner reflected candidly on the loss. ‘Tough night, but we fought well. India’s record is intimidating lately. Loved the efforts from GP and Chappie, though their attack squeezed us early. You can’t afford slip-ups against this lot.’
Explaining the last-over call to Daryl Mitchell, Santner said, ‘Conditions dictated it; he handles spin aggressively. Duffy was outstanding. No. 8 works for me with our batting order’s flexibility.’
As the series heats up, India’s strategic edge, amplified by dew, positions them as frontrunners. Fans are buzzing for what’s next.