India beat New Zealand by 48 runs in first T20I (Image Credit:- X)
Team India beat New Zealand comfortably by 48 runs in the first T20I to take a 1-0 series lead. India set New Zealand a 239 run target and restricted them to 190/7 in their 20 overs.
Left hand opening batter Abhishek Sharma was named Player of the Match for his blistering innings. He not only scored 84 runs from just 35 balls but also took two catches , significantly impacting the match.
Toss
New Zealand won the toss and elected to field first.
India Innings
Wicketkeeper batters Sanju Samson (10) and Ishan Kishan (8) were dismissed by the Kiwis in the first three overs for just 27 runs. Abhishek Sharma and captain Suryakumar yadhav shifted the momentum in India’s favor with a 99 run partnership off just 47 balls.
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Kiwi captain Mitchell Santner dismissed india captain Suryakumar Yadhav for 32 to break the crucial stand. Abhishek Sharma, as usual, showed no mercy to the bowlers and was finally dismissed by Ish Sodhi. He scored 84 runs from 35 balls, including five fours and eight sixes.
Hardik Pandya (25 off 16 balls) and Rinku Singh (44* off 20 balls) provided the finishing touches to help India post a mammoth total of 238/7.
Wicket Takers New Zealand
Jacob Duffy (2/27 in 4 overs) , Kyle Jamieson (2/54 in 4 overs) , Mitchell Santner (1/37 in 3 overs) , Ish Sodhi (1/38 in 3 overs) and Kristian Clarke (1/40 in 4 overs).
New Zealand Innings
They got off to the worst possible start, losing Devon Conway (0) and Rachin Ravindra (1) for just one run. Tim Robinson (21) and Glenn Phillips brought New Zealand back on track with a 51 run stand for the third wicket. Varun Chakravarthy broke the stand by dismissing Tim Robinson (21) in the first over after the powerplay.
Glenn Phillips and Mark Chapman added 79 runs for the fourth wicket in just 42 balls. Phillips kept New Zealand in the chase with a brilliant knock of 78 runs from 40 balls before being dismissed by Axar Patel.
Phillips top scorer for Kiwis with 78 (Image Credit:- X)
India kept things in control after his wicket and restricted New Zealand to 190/7.
Mark Chapman (39 runs from 24 balls) , Daryl Mitchell (28 runs from 18 balls) and Mitchell Santner (20* runs from 13 balls) are the other main scorers for Kiwis.
Wicket takers India
Shivam Dube (2/28 in 3 overs) , Varun Chakravarthy (2/37 in 4 overs) , Hardik Pandya (1/20 in 2 overs) , Arshdeep Singh (1/31 in 4 overs) and Axar Patel (1/42 in 3.3 overs).
Next Match
Second T20I is at Raipur on Jan 23rd , 2026 , 07:00 PM.