Sports

IND vs NZ 1st T20I: Abhishek Sharma, Rinku Singh Power India to Dominant Win in Series Opener

After losing the ODI series, Team India bounced back in spectacular fashion in the first T20I against New Zealand played in Nagpur. Playing fearless and aggressive cricket, India’s batters put the Kiwi bowlers under immense pressure from the very start.

Explosive innings from Abhishek Sharma (84), Rinku Singh (44*), and Hardik Pandya (25) powered India to a massive total of 238/7 in 20 overs. This is India’s highest-ever T20I score against New Zealand, surpassing the 234 runs scored in Ahmedabad in 2023.

Chasing a daunting target of 239 runs, New Zealand managed only 190/7 in their allotted overs, handing India a 48-run victory and a 1–0 lead in the five-match T20I series. The second match will be played on January 23 in Raipur.

Abhishek Sharma Sets the Stadium on Fire

World No.1 T20 batter Abhishek Sharma delivered a breathtaking performance, leaving New Zealand’s bowlers helpless and turning fielders into mere spectators. His blistering knock included eight sixes and five fours, showcasing incredible bat speed and power.

Abhishek formed a crucial 99-run partnership in just 47 balls for the third wicket with captain Suryakumar यादव (32), giving India a strong foundation despite early setbacks.

Indians with Most Sixes in T20Is

Rohit Sharma – 205
Suryakumar Yadav – 155
Virat Kohli – 124
Hardik Pandya – 106
KL Rahul – 99
Abhishek Sharma – 81
Yuvraj Singh – 74

Early Setbacks, Strong Comeback

India lost Sanju Samson (10) and Ishan Kishan (8) early, but once Abhishek settled in, there was no looking back. After playing cautiously against Jacob Duffy, he launched a huge six over the sightscreen, signaling the start of a brutal assault.

With lightning-fast bat speed, Abhishek dismantled New Zealand’s pace attack. Even spinners like Glenn Phillips failed to contain him as boundaries flowed to all parts of the ground.

Rinku Singh’s Late Onslaught

After Abhishek was dismissed by Ish Sodhi, Rinku Singh took charge in the death overs. The left-hander smashed 44 runs off just 20 balls, remaining unbeaten with four fours and three sixes.

Rinku plundered 21 runs in the final over, pushing India past the 230-mark and sealing a historic total despite losing early wickets.

Highest T20I Scores Against New Zealand

245/5 – Australia, Auckland (2018)
241/3 – England, Napier (2019)
238/7 – India, Nagpur (2026)
236/4 – England, Christchurch (2025)
234/4 – India, Ahmedabad (2023)

New Zealand’s Struggle in the Chase

New Zealand’s chase got off to a disastrous start. Arshdeep Singh dismissed Devon Conway for a duck in the first over, followed by Hardik Pandya removing Rachin Ravindra.

Spinner Varun Chakravarthy made an immediate impact, dismissing Tim Robinson (21). At the halfway stage, New Zealand had already lost three wickets.

Phillips and Chapman Fight Back

Glenn Phillips and Mark Chapman steadied the innings with a 79-run partnership. Phillips played a counter-attacking knock of 78 runs off 40 balls, but Axar Patel broke the partnership just when New Zealand looked dangerous.

Chapman was dismissed for 39, again by Varun Chakravarthy.

India Seal the Match Comfortably

In the final over, Shivam Dube picked up back-to-back wickets, narrowly missing out on a hat-trick. New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner remained unbeaten on 20, but the damage was already done.

Bowling figures for India: