IND vs NZ: Abhishek Sharma inspires India to 1-0 Lead in Nagpur

Abhishek Sharma's blistering 84 off 35 balls powered India to a mammoth 238-7 against New Zealand in the first T20I of the Black Caps' tour at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium. The hosts defended their total emphatically, restricting New Zealand for a convincing 48-run victory.

India's innings exploded early with Sanju Samson (10 off 7) and Abhishek Sharma laying the foundation amid 15 wides from the Kiwi bowlers.

Abhishek unleashed five fours and eight sixes, his 84 anchoring partnerships before falling to Ish Sodhi in the 12th over at 149-4. Suryakumar Yadav (32 off 22) and Hardik Pandya (25 off 16) kept the momentum, but Rinku Singh's unbeaten 44 off 20 (four fours, three sixes) propelled India past 200 in the death overs.

New Zealand's

chase began disastrously, losing Devon Conway (0) and Rachin Ravindra (1) inside three overs. Tim Robinson (21 off 15) and Glenn Phillips (78 off 40) mounted a recovery, racing to 52-2 after the powerplay. Phillips' onslaught-four fours and six sixes-lifted New Zealand to 131-4 by the 14th over alongside Mark Chapman's 39 (four fours, two sixes).

India's bowlers struck back decisively. Varun Chakaravarthy claimed two key wickets (Robinson and Chapman), while Shivam Dube (2-28) dismissed Daryl Mitchell (28) and Kristian Clarke (0) in the final over. Axar Patel (1-42) and Arshdeep Singh (1-31) supported with tight lines as India have taken a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.