A whirlwind knock from Abhishek Sharma, combined with a tremendous bowling performance, powered India to a commanding 48-run victory over New Zealand in the first T20I at Nagpur on Wednesday. In a high-scoring showdown, India’s batting firepower proved costly for New Zealand, despite a spirited middle-order fightback from Glenn Phillips and Mark Chapman.
Asked to bat, India came out all guns blazing. The tone was set by Abhishek Sharma, who produced a magnificent display of power-hitting. The left-hander smashed 84 runs in a brutal innings featuring eight sixes and five boundaries. India were further supported by Suryakumar Yadav, who played a fluent cameo, scoring 32 off 22 balls, while Hardik Pandya added impetus in the middle overs with a quick 25 off 16 deliveries. Rinku Singh, meanwhile, was outstanding, remaining unbeaten on 44 from 20 balls to guide India to 238/7 in 20 overs.
Chasing a huge target, New Zealand’s innings got off to a disastrous start, with Devon Conway getting dismissed for a duck, while Rachin Ravindra managed only one run. However, Glenn Phillips scored 79, while Mark Chapman scored 39. But their stand was not enough to take New Zealand home, with Indian bowlers holding their nerve to not allow New Zealand any momentum. Following a lack of consistency, New Zealand finished at 190/7 in 20 overs to go 0-1 down in the five-match series.