Ind vs nz 1st t20 2026 scorecard: India opened their five-match T20 International series against New Zealand in emphatic fashion, delivering a dominant all-round performance to register a convincing 48-run win in the opening encounter at Nagpur. The spotlight firmly belonged to young opener Abhishek Sharma, whose breathtaking knock set the tone for India’s triumph and laid the foundation for a strong start to the series.
This Ind vs nz 1st t20 2026 scorecard tells the story of aggressive batting, timely breakthroughs, and India’s ability to seize momentum at crucial moments. With this victory, India take a 1-0 lead in the series and send a strong message ahead of the remaining matches.
Match Overview: India vs New Zealand, 1st T20I
| Match | India vs New Zealand, 1st T20I |
|---|---|
| Venue | Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur |
| Date | 21 January 2026 |
| Toss | New Zealand won the toss, elected to field |
| Result | India won by 48 runs |
| Series Status | India lead the 5-match series 1-0 |
India’s explosive batting display sets up a massive total
Batting first after New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner chose to field, India wasted no time in attacking the bowling. From the opening over, the intent was clear — this was going to be a high-tempo innings built on fearless stroke play.
The early overs saw India lose a couple of wickets, but what followed was a stunning counterattack led by Abhishek Sharma, who played one of the most destructive innings of his T20 international career.
Abhishek Sharma’s sensational innings steals the show
Abhishek Sharma was in complete control from the moment he settled at the crease. Mixing timing with raw power, he dismantled the New Zealand bowling attack and kept the scoreboard ticking at an extraordinary rate.
Abhishek Sharma – Batting Highlights
| Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 84 | 35 | 5 | 8 | 240.00 |
His innings included clean hits straight down the ground, fearless pulls over mid-wicket, and effortless lofted drives. The speed at which he reached his half-century reflected his dominance — he brought it up in just 22 balls, putting immediate pressure on New Zealand.
Early setbacks for India, but intent remains aggressive
Despite the fast scoring, India did lose early wickets. Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan departed in quick succession, momentarily giving New Zealand hope.
India Early Wickets
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ishan Kishan | 8 | 5 | c & b Jacob Duffy |
| Sanju Samson | 10 | 7 | c off Kyle Jamieson |
India were 27 for 2, but the arrival of Suryakumar Yadav at the crease ensured that the momentum never dipped.
Suryakumar Yadav and Abhishek Sharma build a rapid partnership
Captain Suryakumar Yadav played his role perfectly, rotating the strike and unleashing calculated aggression when needed. His presence allowed Abhishek Sharma to attack without restraint.
Suryakumar Yadav’s contribution
| Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | 22 | 4 | 1 |
The partnership pushed India past the 100-run mark inside 11 overs, leaving New Zealand scrambling for answers.
Middle-order contributions keep the run flow steady
After the dismissal of both Abhishek Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav, India continued to pile on the runs thanks to valuable cameos from the middle order.
Key Middle-Order Contributions
| Player | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shivam Dube | 9 | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| Hardik Pandya | 25 | 16 | 3 | 1 |
| Axar Patel | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
Hardik Pandya, in particular, ensured the momentum remained intact with his powerful stroke play before falling to Jacob Duffy.
Rinku Singh finishes in style with an unbeaten knock
If Abhishek Sharma provided the fireworks early, Rinku Singh delivered the perfect finishing touch. Calm under pressure and precise in execution, Rinku punished anything loose and pushed India beyond the 230-run mark.
Rinku Singh – Finisher’s Role
| Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 44* | 20 | 4 | 3 |
His unbeaten innings ensured that India ended with a massive total of 238 for 7 — one of the highest scores recorded at the venue.
India innings summary
| Team | Overs | Score |
|---|---|---|
| India | 20.0 | 238/7 |
New Zealand face a daunting chase of 239 runs
Chasing a target of 239 was always going to be a tough task, especially on a pitch that was expected to slow down as the match progressed. New Zealand needed a flying start, but India’s bowlers had other plans.
Early blows derail New Zealand’s chase
India struck early, removing both Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra in quick succession, dealing a massive blow to New Zealand’s hopes.
New Zealand early wickets
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | Bowler |
|---|---|---|---|
| Devon Conway | 0 | 2 | Arshdeep Singh |
| Rachin Ravindra | 1 | 5 | Hardik Pandya |
New Zealand were reduced to two wickets down for just one run, immediately falling behind the required run rate.
Glenn Phillips launches a counterattack
Despite the early setbacks, Glenn Phillips played a fearless innings that briefly revived New Zealand’s hopes. Displaying tremendous power and timing, he attacked the spinners and pacers alike.
Glenn Phillips batting performance
| Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 78 | 40 | 4 | 6 |
Phillips reached his half-century in just 29 balls, and New Zealand crossed the 100-run mark in 11.3 overs. However, the required run rate continued to climb.
Key breakthroughs swing the match decisively
Just when New Zealand appeared to be building momentum, India struck again. Varun Chakravarthy dismissed Mark Chapman, and Axar Patel removed Glenn Phillips soon after, effectively sealing the game.
New Zealand middle-order dismissals
| Player | Runs | Balls | Bowler |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Chapman | 39 | 24 | Varun Chakravarthy |
| Glenn Phillips | 78 | 40 | Axar Patel |
With five wickets down and the asking rate out of control, New Zealand’s chase lost steam.
New Zealand innings summary
| Team | Overs | Score |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | 20.0 | 190/7 |
Result and series update
| Match Result | India won by 48 runs |
|---|---|
| Series | 5-match T20I series |
| Series Score | India lead 1-0 |
| Next Match | 2nd T20I on 23 January |
This Ind vs nz 1st t20 2026 scorecard highlights India’s dominance with both bat and ball, underlining their depth and firepower.
Playing XIs
India Playing XI
| Players |
|---|
| Abhishek Sharma |
| Sanju Samson |
| Ishan Kishan |
| Suryakumar Yadav (Captain) |
| Shivam Dube |
| Hardik Pandya |
| Rinku Singh |
| Axar Patel |
| Varun Chakravarthy |
| Jasprit Bumrah |
| Arshdeep Singh |
New Zealand Playing XI
| Players |
|---|
| Tim Robinson |
| Devon Conway |
| Rachin Ravindra |
| Daryl Mitchell |
| Glenn Phillips |
| Mark Chapman |
| Mitchell Santner (Captain) |
| Christian Clarke |
| Kyle Jamieson |
| Ish Sodhi |
| Jacob Duffy |
Toss update
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner won the toss and opted to field first, a decision influenced by the expectation of early assistance for bowlers.
Weather report: Nagpur
| Condition | Details |
|---|---|
| Morning temperature | 23°C |
| Afternoon temperature | Up to 27°C |
| Evening temperature | Around 14°C |
| Rain | No rain expected |
| Dew | No significant dew |
The clear weather ensured uninterrupted play and ideal conditions for cricket.
Pitch report: Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium
| Feature | Analysis |
|---|---|
| Surface | Black soil pitch |
| Bounce | Low |
| Assistance | Spin-friendly as match progresses |
| Batting | Easier early, slows later |
The pitch offered grip to spinners like Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy, who used the conditions expertly.
What this win means for India
This emphatic victory gives India early control of the series and underlines the strength of their young batting unit. Abhishek Sharma’s innings showcased the fearless approach India are adopting in T20 cricket, while contributions from Rinku Singh and disciplined bowling ensured a comprehensive result.
What’s next
The second T20I of the series will be played on 23 January, where New Zealand will look to bounce back and level the series, while India aim to extend their lead.
Read also: Hardik Pandya: Why He Remains the Key to Team India’s Balance Ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup
Conclusion
The Ind vs nz 1st t20 2026 scorecard reflects a match dominated by India from start to finish. With explosive batting, smart bowling, and sharp fielding, India set the benchmark early in the series. If this opener is any indication, fans can expect an exciting contest in the matches to come.
