India Vs New Zealand: India Beat Kiwis By 48 Runs In First T20I, Make Superb Start To Series

Nagpur: Team India made a superb start to their campaign in the T20I series against New Zealand, winning the opening match by 48 runs at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur on Wednesday. The five-match series is crucial for both teams as India is scheduled to host the the T20 World Cup, slated to start next month.

Asked to at first, the hosts put on a total of 238/7 in their 20 overs. In reply, New could only manage to score 190 runs for the loss of seven wickets.

1st T20I. India Won by 48 Run(s) https://t.co/ItzV352OVv #TeamIndia #INDvNZ #1stT20I @IDFCfirstbank

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 21, 2026

How did New Zealand perform?

New Zealand lost two wickets in the first two overs. The team fought hard from there but ultimately managed only 190 runs for 7 wickets. A total of 428 runs were scored in this match, which is a record for the highest number of runs in a T20 match between these two teams. Team India has taken a 1-0 lead in the 5-match series.

How did Abhishek Sharma boost Team India?

After losing the toss, the Indian team came out to bat first. Abhishek Sharma hit a six in the first over, but India suffered their first setback in the second over. Samson returned to the pavilion after scoring 10 runs off 7 balls with 2 fours. Ishan Kishan, playing his first international match since 2023, could not capitalize on the opportunity. He scored only 8 runs off 5 balls. Team India had lost 2 wickets by the score of 27. From here, captain Suryakumar Yadav forged a 99-run partnership with Abhishek Sharma for the third wicket off 47 balls.

A commanding performance! 🔝#TeamIndia win by 4⃣8⃣ runs in Nagpur to take a 1⃣-0⃣ lead in the 5-match T20I series 👏

Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/ItzV352h5X#INDvNZ | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/BuAT0BluHk

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 21, 2026

What was the contribution of Rinku Singh? 

Meanwhile, Abhishek completed his half-century in 22 balls. Surya was dismissed after scoring 32 runs off 22 balls with 1 six and 4 fours. Abhishek was heading towards a century but was dismissed after scoring 84 runs off 35 balls with 8 sixes and 5 fours. His wicket was taken by Ish Sodhi. After this, Hardik Pandya took charge. He scored 25 runs off 16 balls. Shivam Dube could only score 9 runs. Axar Patel also managed only 5 runs, but Rinku Singh played an explosive innings. Rinku remained unbeaten on 44 runs off 20 balls with 3 sixes and 4 fours. Jacob Duffy and Kyle Jamieson took 2 wickets each.

"There was pressure on me as I was in and out of the team. The plan was to take singles and then go for it. Also to stay till the end. That's what I did. GG sir told me to keep the intent. (on the dropped catch) There was no problem with the lights here, I just dropped one and there is nothing much to worry. We want to take this confidence and momentum forward into the World Cup and win it," Rinku Sing, who scored an unbeaten 44 to take India to a formidable total, said after the match.

"I was batting with Arshdeep paaji and the plan was to hit the boundaries when the balls were in our range. (what was the chat with Arshdeep when he played those dots?) Nothing. I just told him to stay still and try and take a single and give the strike to me. Never mind, it happens," he added.

How was the New Zealand chase?

New Zealand had a poor start. Arshdeep Singh dismissed Devon Conway in the first over. In the second over, Rachin Ravindra became a victim of Hardik Pandya. Tim Robinson scored just 21 runs off 15 balls. New Zealand suffered their third setback in the 7th over, with the score at 52. Glenn Phillips played an explosive innings from one end, reaching his half-century in just 29 balls.

Glenn Phillips was batting brilliantly and putting pressure on Team India. He was dismissed by Axar Patel in the 14th over. Phillips scored 78 runs off 40 balls, including 4 fours and 6 sixes. Mark Chapman was also dismissed in the very next over. These two wickets completely dashed New Zealand's hopes. Santner scored 20 and Daryl Mitchell added 28 runs, but despite this, the Kiwi team could only manage 190 runs. Varun Chakravarthy and Shivam Dube took two wickets each.