India vs New Zealand 1st T20I Highlight exploded into life in Nagpur as India unleashed a brutal batting performance to register a 48-run victory and take early control of the series. Abhishek Sharma’s ferocious 84 off 35 balls set the tone, while Rinku Singh’s unbeaten 44 ensured India surged to a daunting 238 for 7. New Zealand’s chase never truly recovered after early losses, despite Glenn Phillips’ fighting 78. India’s bowlers struck regularly to shut the door late, delivering a dominant all-round display that underlined their T20 intent. India vs New Zealand 1st T20I Highlight

Bring It On! India Looking to Turn the Results On ODIs

India entered the T20I series with something to prove after mixed results in the recent ODI battles against New Zealand. While the Blackcaps had exposed moments of fragility in India’s middle overs during the ODIs, the shortest format offered a reset. The T20I approach was clear from ball one, no caution, no rebuilding, only intent. India leaned into aggression, trusting depth and power rather than accumulation. This was not about repairing past results, but about shifting momentum completely, and Nagpur became the stage for that response.

Bring on the T20I Series 👊

Updates ▶️ https://t.co/ItzV352OVv#TeamIndia | #INDvNZ | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/rv6x9wB82o

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 21, 2026

Abhishek Sharma Is Sizzling with 84!

Abhishek Sharma delivered a knock that defined the match. His 84 off just 35 balls included eight sixes and five fours, reached at a strike rate of 240. He brought up his half-century in only 22 balls, the fastest by an Indian against New Zealand in men’s T20Is. Abhishek attacked from the start, hitting four sixes inside the powerplay and continuing the assault even after field restrictions lifted. Crucially, he targeted both pace and spin, dismantling Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner alike. His innings alone blew the game wide open.

For his authoritative opening act, Abhishek Sharma bags the Player of the Match award 🏅

Relive his knock ▶️ https://t.co/WSNLEfd35F#TeamIndia | #INDvNZ | @IDFCFIRSTBank | @OfficialAbhi04 pic.twitter.com/3mCtrzuub2

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 21, 2026

Huge Barrier for Blackcaps to Climb

India’s total of 238 for 7 was not just competitive, it was crushing. It marked India’s highest T20I score against New Zealand and instantly placed the Blackcaps under scoreboard pressure. Every phase hurt New Zealand, early sixes, relentless middle-overs hitting, and a ruthless finish. With dew not guaranteed and the pitch offering grip, chasing close to 12 an over from the start was always unrealistic. The total turned New Zealand’s innings into a survival exercise rather than a calculated chase, forcing them into high-risk strokes far too early.

First innings in the books here in Nagpur 📖

Watch the chase live in NZ on Sky Sport.#INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/W4MxMweRNC

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) January 21, 2026

Glenn Phillips Tried to Catch

Glenn Phillips refused to surrender quietly. His 78 off 40 balls, featuring six sixes, briefly reignited New Zealand’s hopes. Phillips attacked Varun Chakravarthy, Axar Patel, and Shivam Dube with clean striking, even launching a 105-metre six off Dube into the manual scoreboard. He brought up his fifty in just 29 balls and momentarily dragged the required rate down. But once Phillips miscued Axar to long-on, the chase collapsed. His innings was valiant, powerful, and isolated, a lone resistance against a rising tide.

Glenn Phillips brings up his 11th T20I half-century here in Nagpur 👊#INDvNZ | 📸 BCCI pic.twitter.com/u5OmVtUahw

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) January 21, 2026

India’s Runs was Massive

India’s dominance was not limited to Abhishek alone. Rinku Singh’s 44 not out off 20 balls was decisive, especially his 21-run final over featuring two fours and two sixes. Suryakumar Yadav added 32 off 22, maintaining momentum through the middle overs, while Hardik Pandya’s 25 off 16 ensured no slowdown before the death. India scored boundaries in every over of the innings. New Zealand’s spinners leaked 95 runs in seven overs at an economy of 13.57, highlighting just how overwhelming India’s run production was.

Thanks for the match, India 👏#INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/D8xtQSA8Sj

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) January 21, 2026

First Made! Ready for Next

This victory felt bigger than just one win. It marked India’s readiness to flip the narrative after ODI inconsistencies. Abhishek Sharma’s fearless opening, combined with Rinku’s finishing, showed a clear template for the future. India’s batting depth extended deep, with Axar Patel listed at No. 8 purely for balance. The team looked settled, aggressive, and decisive. If this match was a test of intent before the T20 World Cup, India passed emphatically, making a strong case that they are building momentum at exactly the right time.

A commanding performance! 🔝#TeamIndia win by 4⃣8⃣ runs in Nagpur to take a 1⃣-0⃣ lead in the 5-match T20I series 👏

Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/ItzV352h5X#INDvNZ | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/BuAT0BluHk

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 21, 2026

India vs New Zealand Match Result：Scorecard

The Promising Exciting Match Ups

Several battles emerged as defining storylines. Abhishek Sharma versus New Zealand’s spin was one-sided and destructive. Rinku Singh’s death-over striking continued to separate him from the rest, striking at over 300 in 20th overs historically. Glenn Phillips versus India’s spin remained New Zealand’s only hope. Arshdeep Singh’s early swing again troubled Devon Conway, dismissing him for the fourth time in T20Is. These matchups promise intrigue as the series progresses, with adjustments inevitable from both sides.

India’s 48-run win was built on clarity, confidence, and calculated aggression. Abhishek Sharma’s explosive opening defined the tone, Rinku Singh sealed the finish, and the bowlers executed with control. For New Zealand, Glenn Phillips stood tall, but support was scarce. As the series unfolds, this match may be remembered as the moment India seized momentum with authority. India vs New Zealand 1st T20I Highlight.

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India vs New Zealand 2nd T20I 2026/01/23