India vs New Zealand: Abhishek Sharma leads Indian fightback after Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan depart cheaply

Nagpur: The five-match T20 series between India and New Zealand has begun today. The first match is being played at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur. New Zealand won the toss and elected to bowl first. 

What are the changes in Team India?

Ishan Kishan is playing for Team India after more than two years. Pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah and star all-rounder Hardik Pandya have returned to the team. Both were rested during the ODI series against New Zealand. The Indian team, led by Suryakumar Yadav, is looking to solidify its preparations for the T20 World Cup next month. India will also be looking to avenge their ODI series defeat against New Zealand. India's performance in T20s has been impressive since Suryakumar took over the captaincy in 2024, with a win percentage of over 72%. However, Suryakumar's team will not underestimate the Kiwi team, which recently won its first-ever ODI series in India.

What landmark beckons Suryakumar Yadav? 

Team India skipper Suryakumar Yadav is going to play his 100th T20 International match today. This is a special occasion for him, as he will become only the fourth player from his country to have played 100 T20Is. However, on this special occasion, his focus will be on improving his poor form that has persisted for the past year. Before Surya, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Hardik Pandya have already played 100 matches.

How is Suryakumar Yadav’s current form?

Suryakumar Yadav, who once scored runs all over the world, managed only 218 runs in 19 innings last year at an average of 13.62. His strike rate was also 123.16, which is surprising for a batsman considered a master of the T20 format. Suryakumar Yadav's excellent captaincy and the team's victories had so far overshadowed his poor form. But the situation has changed now. The T20 World Cup is starting on February 7th, and Team India cannot afford to have its captain and a top T20 specialist out of form.

What is the significance of this T20I series for India?

The Indian team, led by Suryakumar Yadav, is looking to solidify its preparations for the T20 World Cup next month. India will also be looking to avenge their ODI series defeat against New Zealand. India's performance in T20s has been impressive since Suryakumar took over the captaincy in 2024, with a win percentage of over 72%. However, Suryakumar's team will not underestimate the Kiwi team, which recently won its first-ever ODI series in India.

How did the Indian batters perform?

India suffered its first setback with the dismissal of Sanju Samson. He scored 10 runs off 7 balls, including two fours. Samson was caught by Rachin Ravindra off the bowling of Kyle Jamieson in the second over. He had added 18 runs with Abhishek (6)*. Ishan Kishan has now come out to bat. He opened his account with a boundary.

Ishan Kishan's return was short-lived. He scored 8 runs off 5 balls, hitting two fours. Ishan was caught by Mark Chapman off the bowling of Jacob Duffy in the third over. Captain Suryakumar Yadav has joined Abhishek (7)* at the crease. Surya also opened his account with a boundary.

India suffered a major setback when captain Suryakumar Yadav returned to the pavilion after scoring 32 runs off 22 balls. He hit four fours and a six. Suryakumar was caught by Robinson off the bowling of captain Mitchell Santner in the 11th over. He had a 99-run partnership with Abhishek for the third wicket. Abhishek is currently at the crease on 67, and Hardik Pandya is on 4.

India's fourth wicket fell in the form of Abhishek Sharma. The opener played a blistering innings of 84 runs off 35 balls. He hit five fours and eight sixes. Abhishek was dismissed by spinner Ish Sodhi in the 12th over, caught by Jamieson.

With half the Indian team back in the pavilion, Shivam Dube could only manage 9 runs off four balls, including one six. He was caught and bowled by Jamieson in the 14th over.

India's sixth wicket fell with the dismissal of Hardik Pandya. He couldn't play a big innings. He scored 25 runs off 16 balls with the help of three fours and a six. Hardik was dismissed by Duffy in the 16th over. He was trying to hit a six but was caught by Chapman near the boundary.