Nagpur erupted in cheers as India clinched a commanding 48-run victory over New Zealand in the opening T20I at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium. Captain Suryakumar Yadav, beaming with pride, hailed his batters for setting up a formidable total that proved too hot to handle.
With the series now tilted 1-0 in India’s favor, SKY dissected the win with trademark insight. ‘Putting up a big score on the board is always a game-changer,’ he said. ‘And if there’s a bit of dew around, it turns into a massive advantage for us. Our batters showed character – we weathered the powerplay pressure, stayed aggressive, and everyone contributed without throwing away their wickets.’
Suryakumar himself anchored the innings with a brisk 32 runs, walking off with the confidence of a man in form. ‘I felt in complete control the moment I stepped out,’ he revealed. ‘It was the perfect time to bat. I’ve handled these conditions before, and my nets sessions have been spot-on. Those shots you saw? I’ve been practicing them religiously for the last couple of weeks.’
Fielding, often the unsung hero, drew special praise. ‘We’re constantly pushing to sharpen that edge,’ SKY noted. ‘Every time we hit the field, it’s about getting better. The boys’ efforts made me proud.’
On the flip side, New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner cut a disappointed figure after the heavy defeat. ‘Winning is the only currency that matters,’ he admitted. ‘It was a solid contest for us, but India’s form over the past two years has been phenomenal. I was pleased with Glenn Phillips and Mark Chapman’s knocks, but their bowlers pinned us down from the start. Facing India demands peak readiness from ball one.’
Santner defended handing the final over to Daryl Mitchell, who conceded 21 runs. ‘It made sense given the situation – he attacks spin well. Jacob Duffy showed his class too. Batting at No. 8 suits me; we’ve got depth to push up if needed.’
India’s dominance sends a strong message ahead of the next clash, with dew emerging as a potential X-factor in this high-stakes series.