IND Win By 48 Runs | India vs New Zealand 1st T20I 2026 Highlights: Abhishek Sharma, Rinku Singh and Bowlers Star As Men In Blue Go 1-0 Up

That's IT! India have clinched the first IND vs NZ T20I 2026, and have taken a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. The ask proved too much for the Blackcaps, who failed to keep up with the required run-rate and fell 48 runs short of 238. Varun Chakaravarthy shone with the ball, claiming two wickets. Earlier, Abhishek Sharma (84) and Rinku Singh (44*) helped India reach 237 for 7, despite wickets falling at regular intervals. Jacob Duffy and Kyle Jamieson were standout bowlers for the Kiwis, picking two apiece. The second T20I will be played on January 23 at Raipur. 

New Zealand are giving it their all in the middle, with both Mitchell Santner and Daryl Mitchell using th elong handle to full effect; however, the ask is too much for them against Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh. Mark Chapman played a solid 39 off 24, but fell victim to the asking rate. 

OUT! Axar Patel gets his man, and Glenn Phillips' entertaining knock comes to an end. Phillips wanted to up the ante with the required run rate creeping past 16, but failed to time the short ball and handed a catch to the fielder at long-on for a 40-ball 78. Phillips c Shivam Dube b Axar 78(40)

FIFTY! This has been a stellar knock by Glenn Phillips, coming after a poor start to the innings. Phillips' 11 T20I half-century took just 29 balls, and has been laced with three fours and as many sixes. Important for India to pick wickets, and break this 43-run stand. 

New Zealand are letting the net runrate rise like anything, per over scoring climbing up to 14. Indian spinners have managed to bring things back to normal. However, Glenn Phillips is still in the middle, who is nearing his 11th T20I fifty, and can turn the game on its head anymoment.

OUT! Just what India needed from their T20I specialist. Varun Chakaravarthy makes an immediate impact, and Tim Robinson has to depart after making 21 off 15. Robinson added 51 runs for the third wicket with Glenn Phillips. Tim Robinson c Shivam Dube b Varun Chakaravarthy 21(15)

After the fall of the openers, Glenn Phillips and Tim Robinson have managed to consolidate the innings for the Blackcaps. The duo have added 33 off 15 balls, with both batters displaying their full array of shots. Jasprit Bumrah is still not into the attack, with Suryakumar Yadav delaying their premier bowler. 

OUT! Hardik Pandya had made the ball talk, and a bit of movement gets the better of the batter. And Rachin Ravindra departs for a five-ball 1. Ravindra went for the maximum, but managed an edge to the slip fielder. Ravindra c Abhishek Sharma b Hardik Pandya 1(5)

OUT! Arshdeep Singh removes the in-form Devon Conway. The wicket belongs to wicketkeeper Sanju Samson, who takes a brilliant one-handed catch as Conway could manage an edge while hitting the drive. Conway c Samson b Arshdeep Singh 0(2)

Rinku Singh's unbeaten 44 off 20 has helped India reach their highest-ever T20I score against New Zealand. Singh smashed 20 runs in the final over, which might have been a mistake by Mitchell Santner. India finished on 238 for 7, with Abhishek Sharma top-scoring with 84.