Nagpur: With the T20 World Cup just weeks away, India delivered exactly what their fans wanted to see. A commanding all-round performance helped the hosts crush New Zealand by 48 runs in the opening T20I at Jamtha Stadium, setting the tone for the five-match series.
Explosive batting from Abhishek Sharma at the top, a powerful finish by Rinku Singh, and disciplined bowling led by Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh ensured India remained in complete control throughout the contest.
Abhishek Sharma Sets the Stage
After being put in to bat, India wasted no time asserting dominance. Abhishek Sharma launched a blistering attack, smashing 84 runs off just 35 balls. His innings featured five boundaries and eight towering sixes, with his strike rate crossing the 240 mark.
Sharma announced his intent early, striking a six with his very first scoring shot. He continued to target both pace and spin, bringing up India’s 147 inside 12 overs. His innings finally ended when Kyle Jamieson pulled off a sharp catch near the boundary, but the damage was already done.
Rinku Singh Finishes in Style
While wickets fell at the other end, Rinku Singh once again proved his value as a finisher. Calm under pressure, he remained unbeaten on 44, striking the ball cleanly in the final overs to propel India to a massive 238 for 7. It turned out to be India’s highest-ever T20I total against New Zealand.
Suryakumar Yadav, batting at his preferred No. 4 position, showed signs of returning to form with a useful contribution, although spin briefly slowed his momentum before Mitchell Santner dismissed him.
New Zealand Falter Under Pressure
Chasing a daunting target of 239, New Zealand’s innings never truly took off. Arshdeep Singh struck early by removing Devon Conway for a duck, while Hardik Pandya followed up by dismissing Rachin Ravindra in the very next over.
A brief resistance came through a fourth-wicket stand between Glenn Phillips and Mark Chapman, who added 79 runs in quick time. Phillips top-scored with 78 off 40 balls, but once the partnership was broken, the innings unraveled rapidly.
Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel applied the brakes in the middle overs, picking up key wickets and ensuring New Zealand slipped to 143 for 5. From there, the chase fizzled out.
Bowlers Seal a Clinical Victory
India’s bowling unit remained sharp and disciplined, never allowing New Zealand to build sustained momentum. Bumrah’s control, Arshdeep’s early breakthroughs, and Chakravarthy’s clever variations proved decisive.
The only concern for India was Axar Patel, who suffered a minor injury to his bowling hand and could not complete his full quota of overs. He was later seen with his hand bandaged, though the issue did not dampen India’s celebrations.
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Key Takeaways
- India posted 238/7, their highest T20I score against New Zealand
- Abhishek Sharma’s 84 came at one of his highest strike rates in T20 cricket
- The eight sixes he hit were among the most ever against New Zealand in a T20I
- New Zealand were never truly in the chase after early setbacks
With this emphatic win, India not only take a 1–0 lead in the series but also send a clear message ahead of the World Cup: the squad looks settled, confident, and ready to challenge the best.
