India defeated New Zealand by 48 runs in the first T20I
India defeated New Zealand by 48 runs in the first T20I of the five-match series during New Zealand's tour of India 2026, taking a commanding 1-0 lead. The match took place at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur on January 21, 2026.
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner won the toss and elected to bowl first. India capitalized on the opportunity with an explosive batting display, posting a formidable total of 238/7 in their 20 overs.Abhishek Sharma stole the show with a blistering 84 off just 35 balls, smashing 5 fours and 8 sixes at a strike rate of 240.00. His aggressive innings set the platform early.
Suryakumar Yadav contributed a quick 32 off 22 balls, while Hardik Pandya added 25 off 16. Rinku Singh provided a strong finish with an unbeaten 44 off 20 balls (4 fours and 3 sixes), helping India reach their highest T20I total against New Zealand.
The Indian innings featured a powerful powerplay (68 runs in the first 6 overs) and consistent partnerships, despite regular wickets falling.New Zealand's bowlers struggled to contain the onslaught, with Jacob Duffy (2/27) and Kyle Jamieson (2/54) picking up two wickets each, but the economy rates were high across the board.
Chasing 239, New Zealand never truly got going. They were bowled out for 190/7 in 20 overs. Glenn Phillips top-scored with a valiant 78 off 40 balls (4 fours and 6 sixes), while Mark Chapman chipped in with 39 off 24. However, early setbacks—Devon Conway dismissed for a duck in the second ball—and regular fall of wickets derailed their chase.India's bowlers were clinical: Varun Chakaravarthy took 2/37, Shivam Dube claimed 2/28 (including two in the final over), and Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, and Arshdeep Singh picked up one each. The spinners and death bowlers restricted the Kiwis effectively.
This victory marks a strong start for India under Suryakumar Yadav's captaincy in the T20I format, serving as ideal preparation for the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. The series continues with the second T20I in Raipur on January 23.