IND vs NZ: India create THIS stunning record after their batting brilliance in first T20I against New Zealand
(Courtesy : BCCI)
India piled up 238/7 in the first innings of the 1st T20I against New Zealand in Nagpur.
The first T20I of the five-match series between Indian Cricket Team andNew Zealand Cricket Team got underway on Wednesday, January 21 at Vidarbha International Cricket Stadium in Nagpur. The Black Caps won the toss and opted to bowl first.
For India, Ishan Kishan made a comeback to the T20Is after more than two years, while Sanju Samson was promoted as an opener. While the latter got out cheaply for 10 runs, his opening partner Abhishek Sharma came up with yet another brilliant show.
The left-handed batsman hammered 84 runs off 35 deliveries, smacking the Kiwis bowlers all over the park. Hitting eight sixes and five boundaries, he gave a blistering start to India’s batting. Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya made a crucial contribution with their 32 and 25 runs respectively.
In the end, Rinku Singh rocked with the bat and scored a quick-fire knock to give a perfect finish to India’s batting. Smacking unbeaten 44* runs off 20 deliveries with three sixes and four boundaries, he propelled the scoreboard to 238/7 in 20 overs.
India register their highest team total against New Zealand in T20I
With their mammoth total against the visitors in the 1st T20I, India scripted the record for their highest total against New Zealand in T20Is. Their previous record was 234/4, achieved in a match in 2023 in Ahmedabad.
Overall, this was third-highest total against the Kiwis. Australia (245/5) and England (241/3) hold the record for the top two team totals against New Zealand in T20I cricket.
Highest T20I totals vs New Zealand
- Australia – 245/5 (Auckland 2018)
- England- 241/3 (Napier 2019)
- India – 238/7 (Nagpur 2026)
- England- 236/4 (Christchurch 2025)
- India- 234/4 (Ahmedabad 2023)
New Zealand bowlers completely struggled against India’s batting line-up. Jacob Duffy and Kyle Jamieson clinched two wickets each, while Kristian Clarke, Mitchell Santner, and Ish Sodhi picked one scalp.
Meanwhile, India and New Zealand will lock horns in five T20I games. The series will be a platform to prepare for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. After losing the ODI series 2-1, the Men in Blue aim for a comeback in the T20I series.
What was India’s total in the IND vs NZ 1st T20I?
India piled up 238/7 in the first T20I against New Zealand in Nagpur.
How many matches will take place during T20I series between India and New Zealand?
Five T20Is will be played between India and New Zealand.
Who won the toss in IND vs NZ 1st T20I?
New Zealand won the toss and opted to bowl first in the match.
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Vikas Singh Derek is a core cricket-lover since childhood and has always followed the sport both in his personal and professional life. He started his school life by watching cricket at home with family. Later, he played cricket on the field at local clubs during college. After his Master's in Journalism from Mumbai, he followed his passion by covering cricket news across various digital media. Since 2015, he has been an aspiring sports journalist and cricket content writer with over 50K+ articles.