India wicketkeeper Sanju Samson made an instant impact in the opening T20I of the five-match series against New Zealand in Nagpur, producing a moment of brilliance behind the stumps that set the tone for the hosts. On just the second ball of the chase, Devon Conway edged an outswinger from Arshdeep Singh, and Samson reacted sharply, diving low to his left to pull off a sensational one-handed catch.
The dismissal sent Conway back for a two-ball duck and gave India the early breakthrough they were searching for. India continued to apply pressure soon after. Hardik Pandya struck with the ball to remove another key batter, while Varun Chakaravarthy played a crucial role in the middle overs.
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The mystery spinner broke the developing partnership between Tim Robinson and Glenn Phillips, dismissing Robinson for a brisk 21 off 15 deliveries. New Zealand never quite recovered from the early setbacks as India’s bowlers kept chipping away with timely wickets.
WOW 😮
Sanju Samson with a superb one-handed screamer 👏
Perfect start with the ball by #TeamIndia 👌
Updates ▶️ https://t.co/ItzV352h5X#INDvNZ | @IDFCFIRSTBank | @IamSanjuSamson pic.twitter.com/7U5NYZiPMI
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 21, 2026
Earlier in the evening, India put up a daunting total of 238/7, powered by a breathtaking display of aggressive batting. Openers Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan fell cheaply, but Abhishek Sharma counter-attacked in stunning fashion to wrest back momentum. The left-hander smashed a rapid 22-ball half-century and went on to score 84 off just 25 deliveries, falling agonisingly short of a deserved century.
Abhishek found solid support in captain Suryakumar Yadav, with the duo stitching together a crucial 99-run partnership for the third wicket. Their stand ensured India stayed on course for a massive total despite the early hiccups.
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The finishing touches were applied by Rinku Singh, who once again showcased his calmness under pressure. Unbeaten on 44 off 20 balls, Rinku provided the late surge that pushed India past the 230 mark. For New Zealand, Jacob Duffy was the standout bowler, picking up two wickets in his four overs, but the damage had already been done on a batting-friendly Nagpur surface.
