Nagpur erupted into cheers as India posted a mammoth 239-run target against New Zealand in the opening T20I of their five-match series at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium. After a disappointing 1-2 ODI series loss, the hosts bounced back with a batting masterclass led by Abhishek Sharma’s explosive 84 off 35 balls.
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner won the toss and elected to field first, a decision that initially looked wise. India lost Sanju Samson early for 10 off 7 balls, with two fours in his brief stay. The score was just 18 when Ishan Kishan followed for 8 off 5, leaving India at 27/2.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav then steadied the innings alongside Abhishek, forging a brisk 99-run stand off 47 balls for the third wicket. Suryakumar fell for 32 off 22, featuring four fours and a six, but Abhishek unleashed havoc. His knock boasted eight sixes and five fours, propelling him past 5,000 T20 runs in the process.
Hardik Pandya injected momentum with 25 off 16 (three fours, one six), before Rinku Singh’s unbeaten 44 off 20 balls – laced with three sixes and four fours – guided India to 238/7. Jacob Duffy and Kyle Jamieson claimed two wickets each for New Zealand, with Christian Clarke, Ish Sodhi, and Santner picking one apiece.
New Zealand now faces a daunting chase under lights in Nagpur. Can they pull off a miracle, or will India’s bowlers seal the series opener? The action resumes shortly.