IND vs NZ 1st T20I: India take a 1-0 lead in the five-match T20I series against New Zealand after a comprehensive 48-run win in Nagpur in the 1st T20I. Abhishek Sharma was the architect with a 35-ball 84-run knock while Rinku Singh chipped in with a brilliant 20-ball 44 to help India post 238/7 in 20 overs.
It was always going to be a tall task for New Zealand in the chase. Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya worsened the situation, removing Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra in the first two overs. Glenn Phillips and Tim Robinson added a 51-run stand to patch things up, but then the latter was removed after the powerplay by Varun Chakaravarthy. Phillips added a 79-run stand with Mark Chapman, but with Axar Patel removing him in the 14th over, it was all over for New Zealand. In the end, New Zealand could manage 190/7.
Earlier, New Zealand opted to bowl in Nagpur. Harshit Rana, Shreyas Iyer and Kuldeep Yadav were benched for Ishan Kishan, Arshdeep Singh and Rinku Singh.
Match Details
- Match: India vs New Zealand 1st T20I
- Date: January 21, 2026 (Wednesday)
- Venue: Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) Stadium, Nagpur
- Toss: New Zealand opted to bowl
- India innings: 238/7
- New Zealand innings: 190/7
- Captains: Suryakumar Yadav (India), Mitchell Santner (New Zealand)
IND vs NZ Playing 11s
India Playing XI
Sanju Samson(w), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah
New Zealand Playing XI
Tim Robinson, Devon Conway(w), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner(c), Kristian Clarke, Kyle Jamieson, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy
This Live Blog has Ended
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: Player of the match
21/01/2026 23:10
Abhishek Sharma: 35-ball 84 (5x4, 8x6) and 0/3 (0.3)
"We had a plan from day one and are just following it. I've figured out if you want to hit all balls or strike at 200, you have to carry intent. All teams have a plan for me. It's about my preparation. I'm going to back my instinct. I don't feel my role is high-risk; I wouldn't say this is my comfort zone. But I've been practising to go big in the first six. I never do range-hitting. I'm more of a timing batter, I need to watch the ball and get used to the conditions. For it, I plan in my net session. I feel that if you watch your batting videos, you get an idea of where the bowler bowls to you. I enjoy slip fielding, have been working with Dilip sir."
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: Suryakumar Yadav
21/01/2026 23:10
"I think it's always good when we get those numbers on the board, and if there's a little bit of dew on the board, I think that's a big positive. And the way we batted, even after when we were put under pressure in the powerplay, we were 25-2, and then we took the game till the 15th over, and then we never stopped all the batters. I mean, it looks good (on 8 batters and three strike bowlers). It's been working for me as a team, and so if it's working, let's continue with that. I mean, I felt good when I went into bat. It was the perfect time for me to go into bat. Good pressure situation. I've been batting in that situation. And as I said earlier as well, I've been batting really well in the nets. It was just a matter of time when you play a few balls, bat the way I bat. And that doesn't change my identity."
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: Fielding continues to be concern!
21/01/2026 22:54
While India will be happy with Abhishek Sharma's form and Suryakumar Yadav managing to score some runs, they will be concerned with fielding and especially catching. India's catching efficiency has nosedived and with the T20 World Cup just 17 days away, India need to work in that department. In Nagpur, two easy catches went down.
Sanju Samson also needs to work on his batting after getting the vote of confidence to open instead of Shubman Gill. He has had way too many soft dismissals in the last few matches and that is not a good sign.
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: India win!
21/01/2026 22:45
An easy win for India as New Zealand managed only 190/7 in 20 overs. Shivam Dube bowled an excellent spell with 2/28. The total was too much for New Zealand and even though Glenn Phillips tried his best with 40-ball 78, he did not get enough support from others, especially from the top order. As a result, New Zealand lose by 48 runs.
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: No hat-trick
21/01/2026 22:45
Shivam Dube did not even attempt to go for the hat-trick as he bowled a slower delivery outside off stump for Kyle Jamieson to swing and miss.
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: WICKET!
21/01/2026 22:42
And Shivam Dube is now on a hat-trick as Kristian Clarke comes and goes for a golden duck after trying to hit him for a six. Rinku Singh was ready and made no mistake in taking the catch.
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: WICKET!
21/01/2026 22:40
Ravi Bishnoi takes an excellent running catch as Daryl Mitchell falls for 28 as Shivam Dube takes a wicket in the last over. Bumrah did not bowl the last over with 52 runs to get.
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: DROPPED!
21/01/2026 22:35
After Rinku Singh, Ishan Kishan joins the list of dropped catches. Daryl Mitchell hit Arshdeep Singh on a full toss delivery, only to mistime it and give away a catch. But the ball went through Ishan's hands and hit him on the knee before falling to the ground. What is happening with India's catching?
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: Excellent effort by Rinku!
21/01/2026 22:29
Mitchell Santner took Jasprit Bumrah on over the long off. That was surely sailing away for a six but Rinku Singh jumped to stop the ball. Unfortunately, the ball rolled to the boundary line for a 4. But it was an excellent effort by Rinku.
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: New Zealand need 73 off 18
21/01/2026 22:28
Arshdeep Singh started well but ended up conceding two boundaries. But it's still not enough for New Zealand. They need 73 runs more off the last 18.
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: Arshdeep bowls 17th
21/01/2026 22:24
So, Arshdeep Singh will bowl the 17th and 19th and Jasprit Bumrah will bowl the 18th and 20th. New Zealand need 85 runs off 24 balls with Daryl Mitchell and Mitchell Santner on crease.
IND vs NZ LIVE, 1st T20I: Axar Patel injured!
21/01/2026 22:22
Axar Patel is removed from the attack as he is hit on the bowling finger. India are already dealing with injuries to Washington Sundar and Tilak Varma ahead of T20 World Cup. Abhishek Sharma will complete the last four deliveries of the over.
IND vs NZ LIVE, 1st T20I: Last five overs!
21/01/2026 22:19
New Zealand still need 95 runs off the last 30 balls and it's Mission Impossible with Glenn Phillips departing. Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh have two overs left each and it will be a tough task.
IND vs NZ LIVE, 1st T20I: Wicket
21/01/2026 22:16
VC has his second wicket of the day, as he removes Chapman. He is out for 39 as Abhishek Sharma takes the catch.
IND vs NZ LIVE, 1st T20I: Wicket
21/01/2026 22:09
Finally, Axar Patel has broken the partnership. He is out for 78 from 39 and Shivam Dube takes and excellent catch.
IND vs NZ LIVE, 1st T20I: 50 for Phillips
21/01/2026 22:02
Phillips has kept NZ alive in the chase alone. He has struck a quickfire 50 and India should be worried.
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: Unlucky Bumrah
21/01/2026 21:57
Bumrah starts well, throws a slower one at Chapman. The ball goes up high and Rinku Singh makes a mess of a simple catch. This is unacceptable.
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: Shivam Dube now
21/01/2026 21:51
It is time for a bowling change. Shivam Dube comes into the attack, and he has a knack of picking wickets. Phillips is batting well for now.
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: DRS!
21/01/2026 21:41
Sanju Samson forces Suryakumar Yadav to take the review as he takes a catch of Mark Chapman. But the replays showed that there was no contact and India have wasted both reviews.
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: WICKET!
21/01/2026 21:36
With the powerplay over, Varun Chakaravarthy comes to the attack and delivers a wicket. Tim Robinson tried to go on the attack but had no timing as Shivam Dube takes an easy catch. New Zealand 52/3.
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: New Zealand back on track
21/01/2026 21:33
Tim Robinson and Glenn Phillips have taken the control back after the first two blows. New Zealand get to 50 runs in the powerplay despite scoring just 4 runs in the first two overs.
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: Bumrah for 5th over!
21/01/2026 21:26
Jasprit Bumrah is finally introduced in the attack for the fifth over. Arshdeep and Hardik bowled two overs each in the powerplay. And he bowls an excellent over, conceding just six runs.
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: Robinson on the attack!
21/01/2026 21:22
Tim Robinson is going after Hardik Pandya. After edging him for a four in the third man, he takes him on for a six over the mid-wicket. Hardik ends up conceding 17 runs in the over.
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: SIX!
21/01/2026 21:19
Glenn Phillips and Tim Robinson are rebuilding the New Zealand innings after the two early blows. Glenn Phillips, the man in form, takes on Arshdeep Singh for a six, the first of the innings.
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: Lifeline!
21/01/2026 21:14
Tim Robinson gets a lifeline again as Suryakumar Yadav fails to take the catch after running back to take it.
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: WICKET!
21/01/2026 21:11
Not Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya is bowling the 2nd over and he delivers a wicket in the third ball. Shortish delivery and as Rachin Ravindra tries to step out, he pokes it to Abhishek Sharma. New Zealand are 2 down for just 1 run.
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: DRS!
21/01/2026 21:07
An inswinging yorker by Arshdeep Singh and Tim Robinson is beaten. However, despite the loud appeal, the umpire turned it down, forcing India to take the review. But the ball was missing the leg stump.
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: WICKET!
21/01/2026 21:03
Sanju Samson takes an excellent catch as Devon Conway edges an out-swinging Arshdeep Singh delivery. Conway departs for a two-ball duck as New Zealand lose their first wicket.
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: The 239-run chase begins
21/01/2026 21:00
It's a mammoth total and New Zealand need an exceptional batting show against Jasprit Bumrah & Co to get to the target. Decon Conway and Tim Robinson will begin the proceedings.
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: India 238/7
21/01/2026 20:44
And Rinku Singh hammers the first ball of the 20th over for a six over the long off. He follows it up with another over the midwicket. And then a four. Did Mitchell Santner make a mistake by giving the last over to Daryl Mitchell? India end up with 238/7 as Rinky hammers 21 runs in the last over. Rinku remains unbeaten on 44 off 20.
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: Last over!
21/01/2026 20:43
Rinku Singh refused the single off the last delivery of the 19th over and he is back on strike in the last over.
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: Arshdeep spoils the party!
21/01/2026 20:42
For the first time in this innings, a batter has played three dot balls in a row as he can't judge the slower deliveries by Jacob Duffy. But on the fifth delivery, he finally connects it for a four.
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: WICKET!
21/01/2026 20:37
As has been the case this match, India keep scoring runs and also keep losing wickets. This time, it's Axar Patel who is dismissed as Kristian Clarke bowls a slower delivery. Axar tries to hammer it but fails to time it properly and Daryl Mitchell takes the catch. India 209/7 in 17.5 overs.
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: 200-up for India
21/01/2026 20:35
An attempted slower short ball by Kristian Clarke and he is duly punished for not executing that properly. Rinku Singh was ready and he hammered it for a six. And on the next delivery, Clarke bowled a full delivery wide off stump and it was smashed for a 4. With that, India are 200-up.
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: Axar comes in
21/01/2026 20:28
Axar Patel comes to the crease at No at No 8. India have scored runs fast but with quick wickets, they will be concerned. India can get to 250+ but at this rate, they could be all out well before that. India 187/6 after 16.
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: WICKET!
21/01/2026 20:26
India keep losing wickets. Hardik Pandya falls for 25 off 16. He was trying for a big shot but he miscued and gave away a catch at the boundary line. Jacob Duffy got his second wicket.
Fewest balls to 5000 runs in men's T20s
21/01/2026 20:26
2898: Abhishek Sharma
2942: Andre Russell
3127: Tim David
3196: Will Jacks
3239: Glenn Maxwell
(Stats by ESPN Cricinfo)
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: WICKET!
21/01/2026 20:15
Runs and wickets both keep coming. Shivam Dube just hit Kyle Jamieson for a 6 but on the next delivery, he was stunned by a short delivery as a leading edge gave away an easy catch to the bowler. India are 5 down for 166 as Dube falls for 9.
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: WICKET!
21/01/2026 20:06
However, Ish Sodhi has the last laugh as Abhishek Sharma falls for 84 off 25 after scoring 5000 T20 runs. He was surely en route his 3rd T20I century but he won't care. India 149/4 in 12.
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IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: Lifeline!
21/01/2026 20:06
Abhishek Sharma gets a lifeline as Daryl Mitchell fails to hold onto the catch at the boundary line. He did enough to get to the ball but could not hold onto it. To make things worse, it was given a six. Abhishek is on the charge now as he has hit 4, 6 and 6 against Ish Sodhi.
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: WICKET!
21/01/2026 20:00
For the fourth time, Suryakumar Yadav has fallen to Mitchell Santner. He was looking solid but this time, it was not a good shot. India lose their 3rd wicket for 126 after a 99-run stand.
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: Halfway through
21/01/2026 19:51
No just Abhishek Sharma, Suyrakumar Yadav is also looking solid. He is striking at over 157 and that's what SKY is known for. After 10 overs, India score 117/2.
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: 50 for Abhishek!
21/01/2026 19:44
Abhishek Sharma brings up his 7th T20I fifty. This fifty comes off just 22 deliveries. This is Abhishek's first fifty since October.
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IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: Abhishek is choosing violence
21/01/2026 19:44
New Zealand introduced Glenn Phillips, and Abhishek Sharma chose violence. He hit a hat-trick of boundaries with the third one going through the legs of Kristian Clarke. Glenn Phillips ends up conceding 20 runs.
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: End of powerplay
21/01/2026 19:34
India might have lost two wickets but there has been no dearth of runs. Abhishek Sharma has been the man to take charge as he has smashed four sixes to keep the Kiwi bowlers in check. India 68/2 in powerplay.
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: Abhishek on song
21/01/2026 19:27
As wickets keep falling around him, Abhishek Sharma continues his own way. He takes on Kyle Jamieson for a six to take attack to the opposition.
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: Suryakumar Yadav on crease
21/01/2026 19:27
After flopshows by Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan, the out-of-run Suryakumar Yadav joins Abhishek Sharma. He is already off the mark with two boundaries.
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: Oh Samson!
21/01/2026 19:22
Sanju Samson is averaging just 19.33 in the last 12 T20Is. His strike rate has also dropped to 127.47. He has scored only 232 runs. It must be noted that he had a lot of ups and downs in the batting position.
Sanju Samson in Powerplay as opener since 2025)
Inns: 7balls: 63Runs: 88Avg: 14.66SR: 139.68Dismissals: 6 IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: WICKET!
21/01/2026 19:20
Just like Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan is also dismissed after hitting two boundaries. On the leg side and it was another soft dismissal as Ishan gave away an easy catch to Mark Chapman.
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: FOUR!
21/01/2026 19:17
Ishan Kishan is off to a fast start as he pulls Jacon Duffy on a ball outside off-stump for a four. What an excellent shot that was.
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: FOUR!
21/01/2026 19:15
Ishan Kishan returns to Team India with a boundary off the first delivery against Kyle Jamieson. He takes Jamieson on straight for a four.
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: WICKET!
21/01/2026 19:15
And with those two boundaries, Sanju Samson's time on the crease comes to an end. That was a poor shot to get out of. The commentators called it poor judgment as Samson fell to another soft dismissal for 10. India 18/1 after 1.5.
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IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: Samson off the mark!
21/01/2026 19:15
The single he took was a leg-bye and in the second over, he hammered a shortish delivery for a four to open his account. He then followed that up with another boundary on a similar line against Kyle Jamieson. This time, he hit that ball behind the square.
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: 1st SIX!
21/01/2026 19:08
Abhishek Sharma is off the mark with a six and it's the first maximum of the evening. Jacob Duffy bowled an inswinger and Abhishek just stood their to hammer it for an 82m six.
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: Here we go!
21/01/2026 19:01
Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson will begin for India. Sanju is back in the opening role after a hiatus. Abhishek has been silent in the last few games and he will look to make a statement today.
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: Tharoor meets Gambhir
21/01/2026 18:51
Sashi Tharoor and Gautam Gambhir might be on opposite sides of the political spectrum at times, but the current India coach and the Congress MP have no qualms in cricket. They met in Nagpur before the 1st T20I. Tharoor continues to follow cricket wherever he is. And he will be happy to know that Gambhir hasn't dropped his Kerala star Sanju Samson.
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: New Zealand Playing XI
21/01/2026 18:38
- Tim Robinson
- Devon Conway(w)
- Rachin Ravindra
- Glenn Phillips
- Mark Chapman
- Daryl Mitchell
- Mitchell Santner (C)
- Kristian Clarke
- Kyle Jamieson
- Ish Sodhi
- Jacob Duffy
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: India Playing XI
21/01/2026 18:38
-
Sanju Samson (WK)
-
Abhishek Sharma
-
Ishan Kishan
-
Suryakumar Yadav (C)
-
Rinku Singh
-
Shivam Dube
-
Hardik Pandya
-
Axar Patel
-
Jasprit Bumrah
-
Varun Chakaravarthy
-
Arshdeep Singh
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: Toss update!
21/01/2026 18:32
Mitchell Santner wins the toss and opts to bowl against India in the 1st T20I. Suryakumar Yadav begins 2026 with poor toss luck.
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: Clarke set for T20I debut
21/01/2026 18:32
Kristian Clarke will make his T20I debut as he gets the cap at the team huddle ahead of the toss.
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: Players warming up
21/01/2026 18:12
With toss in 20 minutes, both teams are warming up. Suryakumar Yadav is shadow-practising on the centre wicket. He has been out of form for a long time. As 2026 begins, he will aim to bounce back. He failed to score a single fifty in 2025.
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: Who will partner Bumrah?
21/01/2026 17:57
Gautam Gambhir has always pressed on having more all-rounders in the Playing XI. With Washington Sundar ruled out, India have to rely on a specialist. But with Harshit Rana proving his batting mettle, will he be the 2nd pacer to partner Jasprit Bumrah? If that happens, Arshdeep Singh will once again be benched.
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: What about Shreyas Iyer?
21/01/2026 17:34
Shreyas Iyer is a backup for Tilak Varma. However, as Iyer is not in the T20 World Cup, it is unlikely that he will get a go in the 1st T20. Axar Patel will slot in at No 5 with Hardik Pandya at No 6. Rinku Singh, who is in the T20 WC squad, will also get a game at No 7. He will play the role of a finisher.
VCA Stadium, Nagpur Pitch Report
21/01/2026 17:22
The Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium pitch features red soil, providing good early bounce and pace for fast bowlers in the powerplay. It tends to slow down as the game progresses, assisting spinners with grip and turn. Average first-innings scores in T20Is hover around 150-160, with high scores rare (200+ crossed only once in 13+ T20Is). Dew often plays a role in the second innings, easing batting and favouring teams chasing. Captains may prefer to bowl first.
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: Ishan Kishan set for No 3
21/01/2026 17:22
With Tilak Varma out of action, at least for the first three T20Is, Ishan Kishan will bat at No 3. He last played for India in November of 2023. Since then, he has been overlooked, until now. As Ishan will be in the T20 World Cup, the team management wants to give him match time. Who will keep wickets, then? It is likely tobe Sanju Samson as he will be the first-choice keeper-batter.
IND vs NZ 1st T20I Match Preview
21/01/2026 17:18
New Zealand, captained by Mitchell Santner, have shown resilience with recent series wins over India in Tests and ODIs, but cracking a full T20I series in India remains elusive. They've lost the last four such series. Players like Glenn Phillips (fresh from an ODI century), Rachin Ravindra, and Devon Conway will be pivotal.
The Nagpur pitch offers early bounce for pacers before aiding spinners, with dew likely favouring chases.
IND vs NZ 1st T20I Match Preview
21/01/2026 17:18
India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, enter the series as overwhelming favourites, having dominated T20Is with eight consecutive bilateral series wins since their 2024 T20 World Cup triumph. The Men in Blue are yet to lose a T20I series under coach Gautam Gambhir and boast a fearsome pace attack with Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh, complemented by spinners like Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav. Key focus areas include Ishan Kishan's return at No. 3 (replacing the injured Tilak Varma) and Suryakumar's own batting form ahead of the T20 World Cup defence.
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: India squad
21/01/2026 17:10
Sanju Samson(w), Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Ishan Kishan, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE: New Zealand squad
21/01/2026 17:10
Tim Robinson, Devon Conway(w), Rachin Ravindra, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner(c), Kyle Jamieson, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Kristian Clarke, Zakary Foulkes
Cricket
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