In the high-octane series opener at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur (January 21, 2026), India provided a commanding a 48-run victory over New Zealand to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match T20I series. Batting first, the Men in Blue posted a mammoth 238/7, their highest T20I total against the Black Caps, a scintillating 84 Abhishek Sharma and late flowering Rinku Singh. Despite early setbacks, India’s aggressive intent never wavered and set a target that was too steep for the visitors.
New Zealand’s pursuit has lasted for half a century Glenn Phillipsbut a disciplined Indian bowling attack, led the charge Varun Chakraborty and Arshdeep Singhkept the required run rate out of reach. With this clinical victory, India sent a clear message as they improve their combinations T20 World Cup 2026.
Abhishek Sharma’s batting masterclass breaks India’s record against New Zealand in 1st T20I
The foundation of India’s win was laid by Abhishek, the world No. 1 T20I batsman, who made a breathtaking 84 off just 35 deliveries. After the New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner won the toss and elected to field, India lost Sanju Samson (10) and Ishan Kishi (8) early on, but Abhishek refused to let the pressure build. He reached his half-century off 22 balls, notching his seventh T20I fifty and taking a particular liking to the spin. Glenn Phillips and tempo Kyle Jamieson.
His innings was a powerful batting symphony of 8 sixes and 5 fours as he shared a 99-run partnership with the skipper. Suryakumar Yadav (32). Even after Abhishek fell in the 12th, the momentum didn’t change; Hardik Pandya Rinku batted quickly on 25 before taking over finishing duties. Rinku smashed 44 off 20 balls, including a 21-run final. Daryl Mitchelll, taking India to 238/7. Jacob Duffy With 2/27 it was the pick of the Kiwi bowlers but the rest of the attack struggled to contain the Indian attack right on the Nagpur deck.
Glenn Phillips’ single haul highlights New Zealand’s chase
New Zealand’s chase of 239 got off to a disastrous start on the second ball of the innings. A moment of pure magic from Sanju Samson. Arshdeep Singh Bowled a full, wide delivery Devon Conway followed by a cover driver; The resulting thick edge flew low to the keeper’s left. In a display of elite reflexes, Samson made a full-length horizontal dive to pluck the ball one-handed over the grass, leaving Conway for a duck.
New Zealand’s woes deepened as Hardik drifted away Rachin Ravindra after a short time he shook them in 1/2. However, Phillips savaged the Kiwis for 78 off 40 in the chase, smashing 6 sixes and keeping the scoreboard ticking over the middle overs. Mark Chapman (39). At the end of the chase, Varun (2/36) and Akhar Patel he took out the collected doughs in sequence. Despite some late resistance Mitchell SantnerNew Zealand finished on 190/9, giving India a comprehensive 48-run victory and a perfect start to their home season.
Here’s how the fans reacted:
Abhishek Sharma snd Samson at the top, Rinku Sungh at the finish, Sky and Pandya in the middle, India’s explosive batting line-up will be the fear of all teams in T20 WC.
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) January 21, 2026
This team is a pleasure to watch.
He started working full of energy. Great performance 👏👏 #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/KqPm31jsIO— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) January 21, 2026
Abhishek is a very high risk prone player but to think he is the most consistent in the Indian team… One really sets the tone for most games beforehand.
— arfan (@Im__Arfan) January 21, 2026
In the last two years, no one has proven me wrong more than Abhishek Sharma. I mean, I never said he was a bad player, but I always thought that approach could fail in big matches, when the bowlers play with the right plans and conditions. But this…
— 𝐊𝐨𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭!𝟎𝐧_👑🚩 (@bholination) January 21, 2026
Abhishek Sharma scored a new record for India 🏏#cricket #INDvNZ #1stT20I pic.twitter.com/Ipjakm4xjR
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) January 21, 2026
Abhishek Sharma always reads the situation perfectly and tries to do the right thing – tries to hit a six. There is no other situation in T20. Every ball must go for six. Everything else is suboptimal. What a player who wants to be the best T20 player should strive for.
— cricketingview (@cricketingview) January 21, 2026
Correct todd! 💥#INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/3fOqG8LoZu
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) January 21, 2026
Glenn Phillips, please spare us. I told all my eight children that we dominated the T20Is. Don’t make me look bad.
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) January 21, 2026
Glenn Phillips innings gave me joy as a GT fan who knows how little my team bats at average.
— Shreya (@shreyamatsharma) January 21, 2026
I’ve said it many times before and I’ll keep saying it every time I go ballistic.
Glenn Phillips is an absolute monster in white ball cricket.
— Behara Gzi 👇 👇 _‑si_ 👇 _ January 21, 2026
Also READ: REVEALED: ‘Bangladesh’ reason for James Neesham’s absence from IND vs NZ 1st T20I in Nagpur
