A sensational start to the second innings in Nagpur India vs New Zealand 1st T20I, Sanju Samson hired a ‘Superman’ to fire Devin Conway in just the second ball of the chase. Chasing a massive target of 239, New Zealand faced immediate pressure Arshdeep Singh immediately found his rhythm. The atmosphere at the VCA Stadium reached fever pitch as the Indian hosts bundled out Samson to record one of the best wicket-keeping displays seen in recent T20 history. This early bounce left New Zealand reeling at 1/1, with the required run rate already climbing towards 13 runs per over.
Sanju Samson’s Superman move ends Devon Conway’s stay with a sensational hand grab
The dismissal came in the second ball of the opener, delivered by Arshdeep. Arshdeep lured Conway into a wide cover drive with a full, wide delivery of 132 kmph. Conway got close to the ball but failed to control his bottom hand, resulting in a thick outside edge that flew low and fast to the keeper’s left. Showing pure athleticism and elite reflexes, Sanju Samson didn’t even have time to cross; Instead, he launched a full-length horizontal, catching the ball inches from the green with his left hand. It was a one-handed stunner that required great core strength and focus as the ball was dying fast on it. Conway’s mock dismissal for a 2-ball duck put India in the lead.
We present the video:
WOW 😮
Sanju Samson excellent one handed screamer 👏
Perfect start with the ball #TeamInda 👌
Updates ▶️ https://t.co/ItzV352h5X#INDvNZ | @IDFCFIRSTBank | @IamSanjuSamson pic.twitter.com/Jh5ccUNn9G
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 21, 2026
Abhishek Sharma powers India’s reign in Nagpur
In a massive statement of intent at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur, India posted their highest T20I total of 238/7 against New Zealand, behind the world No.1’s masterclass. Abhishek Sharma. After being put into bat, India faced early tremors as Samson (10) and Ishan Kishi (8) fell on the top three but Abhishek changed the momentum completely. He played a breathtaking knock of 84 runs off just 35 balls, smashing 8 sixes and 5 fours at an amazing strike rate of 240.
He reached his fifty in just 22 balls, a record eighth T20I half-century off 25 balls or fewer, and shared an important stand of 99 runs with the captain. Suryakumar Yadav (32). The onslaught continued even after Abhishek left in 12th year Rinku Singh 44 off 20 balls, including 21 runs off the final over, was a roaring finish. Daryl Mitchell. New Zealand’s bowlers struggled to find an answer Jacob Duffy (2/27) manages to maintain any semblance of control amid the carnage.
In reply, New Zealand’s chase of 239 got off to a disastrous start during the Powerplay, reeling at 50/2 after the first 6 overs. The tone was set when Arshdeep took a thick edge off Devon Conway, when he was picked out of the air by Sanju Samson with a superb one-handed diving catch to his left. Things got worse in the third Hardik Pandya shot, rejected the dangerous Rachin Ravindra (1) was easily pulled to depth after a mistimed mistake. At the end of the powerplay, New Zealand found themselves in a big hole Tim Robinson and Glenn Phillips already struggling to keep up with the required run rate past 14 runs.
Also READ: REVEALED: ‘Bangladesh’ reason for James Neesham’s absence from IND vs NZ 1st T20I in Nagpur
