Abhishek blitz puts India 1-0 up

Abhishek Sharma kickstarted 2026 in fine fashion with an explosive 35-ball 84 that helped India take an early lead in the five-match T20I series. On the back of a fantastic 2025 in T20 cricket, Abhishek carried forward that momentum in his first outing for the national side this year and slammed eight sixes in his thrilling knock as India put up 238/7—their highest T20I total against New Zealand. In reply, the visitors fell short comfortably by 48 runs.

India lost two wickets very early as Kyle Jamieson and Jacob Duffy dismissed Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan. But Abhishek wasn't deterred, hammering four sixes inside the powerplay as India raced to 68/2 after six overs. Suryakumar Yadav started strongly too, bringing out his trademark pick-up shot early. Abhishek brought up his fifty off just 20 balls, with the pair adding 99 for the third wicket before Suryakumar's dismissal at the halfway mark.

In the next over, New Zealand removed Abhishek after he hit two more sixes off Ish Sodhi. Shivam Dube fell early after a six, but Hardik Pandya made 25 off 16 before Rinku Singh took charge at the death. Rinku targeted Daryl Mitchell, hitting two fours and two sixes to finish unbeaten on 44.

New Zealand suffered early setbacks with Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra falling in the first nine deliveries. They still managed 50 in the powerplay, largely thanks to Glenn Phillips. Varun Chakaravarthy struck immediately after the powerplay, removing Tim Robinson. Phillips and Mark Chapman hit boundaries, including three sixes in five balls, but the target was always daunting.

Once Phillips departed for a 40-ball 78, New Zealand's chase faded. Chakaravarthy took Chapman's wicket, and though Santner and Mitchell added some late boundaries, they only reduced the margin of defeat.

Brief scores: India 238/7 in 20 overs (Abhishek Sharma 84, Rinku Singh 44*; Jacob Duffy 2/27) beat New Zealand 190/7 in 20 overs (Glenn Phillips 78, Mark Chapman 39; Shivam Dube 2/28) by 48 runs.