India kicked off their five-match T20 series against New Zealand with a commanding 48-run victory at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur. Batting first, Team India posted a formidable 238 runs, and despite a determined fightback, New Zealand fell short at 190/7. The match saw a combined total of 428 runs, setting a record for the highest-scoring T20 between the two sides. With this win, India takes a 1-0 lead in the series.
Abhishek Sharma Explodes in Opener
After losing the toss, India elected to bat first. Abhishek Sharma gave India a blazing start, smashing a six in the very first over. However, early wickets fell as Sanju Samson departed for 10 runs off 7 balls, and Ishan Kishan managed just 8 runs from 5 balls in his comeback international match. At 27/2, India seemed under pressure. Captain Suryakumar Yadav then joined Sharma, and together they added a 99-run partnership in 47 balls for the third wicket.
Sharma reached his half-century in just 22 balls and finished with 84 runs from 35 balls, including 8 sixes and 5 fours, before being dismissed by Ish Sodhi. Suryakumar contributed 32 runs from 22 balls. Hardik Pandya (25 off 16 balls) and Rinku Singh (44* off 20 balls) provided the finishing touches. Shivam Dubey and Axar Patel added quick contributions, while Rinku remained unbeaten with 3 sixes and 4 fours, sealing India’s massive total.
New Zealand’s Early Struggle
New Zealand’s chase began poorly. Arshdeep Singh struck in the very first over, dismissing Devon Conway, and Harik Pandya removed Rachin Ravindra in the second over. Tim Robinson struggled, scoring just 21 off 15 balls, and by the 7th over, New Zealand was 52/3.
Glenn Phillips staged a counterattack, reaching a rapid half-century in 29 balls with 4 fours and 6 sixes. However, his dismissal by Axar Patel in the 14th over, followed by Mark Chapman’s wicket in the next over, crushed New Zealand’s momentum. Captain Mitchell Santner (20) and Darryl Mitchell (28) tried to stabilize the innings, but India’s bowlers, led by Varun Chakravarthy and Shivam Dubey, who took 2 wickets each, ensured the Kiwis could only manage 190/7.
India’s explosive batting and timely bowling interventions highlighted the depth and power of the team, setting the tone for the rest of the T20 series.
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