NAGPUR, India: A blistering 84-run assault from opener Abhishek Sharma powered India to a commanding 48-run victory over New Zealand in the first T20I on Wednesday, giving the hosts an early lead in the five-match series ahead of the T20 World Cup.
Put in to bat after losing the toss, India was propelled by a spectacular display of power-hitting from the 24-year-old Abhishek Sharma.
He smashed eight sixes in his 35-ball stay, reaching his half-century in just 22 deliveries and forming a crucial 99-run partnership with captain Suryakumar Yadav (32 off 22).
Despite losing quick wickets towards the end of the innings, a fiery cameo from Rinku Singh, who remained unbeaten on 44 from 20 balls, lifted India to a formidable total of 238 for 7.
New Zealand’s chase derailed
Chasing a daunting target, New Zealand’s innings never gained consistent momentum as Indian bowlers struck at regular intervals.
Opener Tim Robinson fell for 21, and the middle order struggled to build partnerships until Glenn Phillips launched a counter-attack.
His 40-ball 78, including a 79-run stand with Mark Chapman (39), briefly reignited Kiwi hopes.
However, Phillips’ dismissal in the 14th over to left-arm spinner Axar Patel effectively ended the contest.
New Zealand eventually finished at 190 for 7, with spinner Varun Chakravarthy (2 wickets) and Shivam Dube (2 wickets in the final over) leading the bowling effort.
World Cup build-up
India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav heaped praise on the match-winner, highlighting Abhishek’s preparation and temperament.
“It’s not just how he bats in the games, he is enjoying the fruits of that,” Yadav remarked after the game.
The match also served as vital preparation for both sides ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup, which begins on February 7 across India and Sri Lanka.
For New Zealand, captain Mitchell Santner acknowledged the challenge, stating, “India is a very good team at home, it was a good game for us,” as his team looks to bounce back in the second T20I in Raipur on Friday.
