Once Abhishek Sharma slammed 84 off 35 and Rinku Singh scored a fiery 44 not out off 20, India surged ahead in the game, posting a mammoth total on the board. Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya asserted the hosts’ dominance with quick wickets in the second innings, and from then on, it was all a chasing game for New Zealand, who fell 48 runs short of the target.

That is it from this first T20I. We hope you liked our coverage of the game. Stay connected with NDTV Sports for more!

Shivam Dube is on a hat-trick! He has dismissed Daryl Mitchell and Kristian Clarke on consecutive deliveries. He will bowl to Kyle Jamieson in an attempt to make it three in three. Here we go...

IND 238/7(20)

NZ 190/7(20)

Shivam Dube is on a hat-trick! He has dismissed Daryl Mitchell and Kristian Clarke on consecutive deliveries. He will bowl to Kyle Jamieson in an attempt to make it three in three. Here we go...

NZ 189-7 (19.4)

Only six runs came off the over from Arshdeep Singh despite a catch being dropped. Ishan Kishan was the culprit as he dropped Daryl Mitchell’s catch at mid-wicket. The final over coming up. New Zealand need an improbable 52 in it.

NZ 187-5 (19)

Jasprit Bumrah ends up leaking 15 runs in his third over. New Zealand need 58 runs off 12 balls. This match is already out of their hands, but Daryl Mitchell and Mitchell Santner continue to fight and get close to the hosts' total.

NZ 181-5 (18)

A great effort from Rinku Singh, but it goes in vain. Mitchell Santner hit the Jasprit Bumrah delivery towards long-off, where Rinku was stationed. He jumped at the edge of the boundary rope, took the catch, and then threw the ball inside. Rinku fell at the other end but failed to notice that the ball was slowly rolling towards the boundary cushion. By the time he saw, it was too late.

NZ 170-5 (17.1)

Axar Patel has injured himself while trying to stop a shot from Daryl Mitchell. The right-handed batter smashed it really hard, and Axar threw his left hand at it. The spinner was hit on his forefinger, which started bleeding in no time. Axar had to leave the ground, with the physio trying to stop the bleeding. Abhishek Sharma will complete the over.

NZ 151-5 (15.3)

Mark Chapman is gone! India make no mistake this time. The southpaw smashed it high in the air. Abhishek Sharma ran in and took the catch at long-on. New Zealand are five down, with the asking rate close to 19.

Chapman c Abhishek Sharma b Varun Chakaravarthy 39(24)

NZ 143-5 (14.5)

Big wicket for Axar Patel! He has trapped Glenn Phillips after being hit for a four and a six in the over. The partnership for the fourth wicket has finally been broken by India. Phillips and Mark Chapman added 79 runs off 42 balls.

Phillips c Shivam Dube b Axar 78(40)

NZ 131-4 (13.3)

New Zealand are fighting back through Glenn Phillips’ terrific knock. They have scored 26 runs off the last two overs. Phillips is unbeaten on 68 off 37 balls. The chasing side needs 118 runs off 42 balls.

NZ 121-3 (13)

India have wasted a couple of opportunities in the past two overs. After Sanju Samson's run-out miss, Rinku Singh dropped the catch of Mark Chapman off the bowling of Jasprit Bumrah. An off-cutter from Bumrah took a leading edge off Chapman's bat, but the ball popped out of Rinku's hands at backward square leg.

In the over, Glenn Phillips also scored his fifty in 29 balls. 

NZ 95-3 (11)

Sanju Samson had a run-out opportunity on the first ball of the over, but he fumbled to see Glenn Phillips survive. The batter tried to steal a couple and landed himself in trouble, with Rinku Singh firing in a good throw to Samson, who missed the big chance.

NZ 87-3 (10)

Poor appealing from Sanju Samson, and that has cost India their second and final review. Axar Patel bowled it down the leg side to Mark Chapman. The batter failed to make contact, but Samson appealed loudly. The umpire gave it a wide, but the wicketkeeper still convinced his captain to go upstairs. UltraEdge revealed a flat line, and all Samson could do was blame himself.

NZ 56-3 (7.2)

OUT! Varun Chakaravarthy takes just three balls to strike; he has dismissed Tim Robinson. It was a googly from the Indian spinner, and Robinson failed to read it. He ended up mistiming it to the fielder at short mid-wicket.

Tim Robinson c Shivam Dube b Varun Chakaravarthy 21(15)

NZ 52-3 (6.3)

It was a good first powerplay for India before New Zealand crawled their way back into the game. They scored just three runs in the first two overs while also losing two wickets. Tim Robinson and Glenn Phillips then joined hands, and it has been a good fightback from New Zealand since.

NZ 50-2 (6)

Good start from Jasprit Bumrah! He conceded only six runs in his first over. Thanks to his wide variety of bowling, Bumrah kept Glenn Phillips guessing. The batter could hit just one four off the five balls he faced from the India pacer.

NZ 39-2 (5)

Seventeen came off Hardik Pandya's second over. Tim Robinson smashed the pacer for two fours and a six. New Zealand have done a good job in the past two overs, scoring 29 runs. India captain Suryakumar Yadav has been forced to bring his ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah into the attack now. Let's see how he starts!

NZ 33-2 (4)

Fuller ball from Arshdeep Singh outside off stump, and Glenn Phillips has slammed it for six down the ground. This turned out to be an expensive over for the left-arm pacer. He leaked 12 runs in it.

NZ 16-2 (3)

This is the first boundary of the New Zealand innings, and it has come after 12 balls. Arshdeep Singh bowled it full into the stumps. The ball swung in to Glenn Phillips, who flicked it beautifully towards deep mid-wicket for the boundary.

NZ 8-2 (2.1)

Another wicket for India! They are tightening the noose on New Zealand in this big chase in Nagpur. That was an outswinging delivery from Hardik Pandya. It took the outside edge of Rachin Ravindra’s bat, and Abhishek Sharma took a really good diving catch at slip.

Ravindra c Abhishek Sharma b Hardik Pandya 1(5)

NZ 1-2 (1.3)

It was an eventful first over from Arshdeep Singh. He conceded just one run and claimed the wicket of Devon Conway. India also lost a review on the fifth ball of the over. Tim Robinson was hit on the front pad, but the ball was going down the leg side with late swing on it. The host team took a review against the umpire’s decision of 'not out' and ended up wasting one DRS.

NZ 1-1 (1)

Arshdeep Singh strikes early! That is a sensational catch from Sanju Samson to his right. It was a fuller outswinging delivery from the pacer, and Conway got an outside edge. The ball kept swinging away, and Samson took a superb one-handed catch, diving to his left.

NZ 0-1 (0.2)

Arshdeep Singh is ready with the new ball. Devon Conway will face the first delivery; Tim Robinson is at the other end. Here we go... It goes slightly down the leg side, but the umpire calls it a dot ball as it was inside the red line on the leg side.

Terrific batting from Rinku Singh! The southpaw went berserk in the final over, smashing Daryl Mitchell for two sixes and as many fours. India fetched a total of 21 runs off the over. They have got a big total on the board. Even if there is dew in the second innings, the hosts could fancy their chances.

IND 238-7 (20)

Just six came off the over from Jacob Duffy! After a wide on the first delivery, Rinku Singh took a single to Arshdeep Singh, and Duffy made the most of the opportunity. He bowled four dot balls and conceded just one boundary.

IND 217-7 (19)

Kristian Clarke finally managed to get a wicket on his T20I debut. The slower ball did the trick for the Kiwi pacer. Axar Patel was outfoxed as he ended up finding the fielder at long-off. India continue to lose wickets; they are seven down.

Axar c Mitchell b Kristian Clarke 5(5)

IND 209-7 (17.5)

India have crossed the 200-run mark, thanks to brilliant batting from Rinku Singh towards the end of the innings. He pulled Kristian Clarke for a six over long leg before slamming a four towards the backward point region.

IND 208-6 (17.3)

That is a classical drive from Rinku Singh for four! A much-needed boundary for India. Kyle Jamieson pitched it up with mid-off inside the ring, and Rinku drove it powerfully between the fielder and the bowler.

IND 193-6 (16.2)

Big blow for India! Star hitter Hardik Pandya is gone! He has found the man at deep mid-wicket. It was a slower ball from Jacob Duffy, and Hardik pulled it well but failed to get the required elevation.

Hardik Pandya c Chapman b Jacob Duffy 25(16) 

IND 185-6 (15.4)

India have a superb scoring rate of 12.13, but their only concern is that they have lost five wickets so far. Hardik Pandya and Rinku Singh are the batters in the middle, with Axar Patel being the only recognised batter left to come. If the hosts can add another 50 runs in the remaining five overs, it would be a challenging total for New Zealand.

IND 182-5 (15)

Shivam Dube has found a leading edge back to the bowler. He tried to work it on the leg side but failed to time it properly. Hardik Pandya, who is at the non-striker's end, is unhappy with the shot attempted by Dube.

Shivam Dube c and b Jamieson 9(4)

IND 166-5 (13.4)

Abhishek Sharma has found the fielder at long-on. His terrific innings comes to an end. The southpaw is out after scoring 84 runs off 35 balls. He smashed five fours and eight sixes during his knock.

Nineteen came off the over from Ish Sodhi as Abhishek slammed the spinner for a four and two sixes.

Abhishek Sharma c Jamieson b Ish Sodhi 84(35)

IND 149-4 (12)

Suryakumar Yadav departs after a really good cameo. He finds the man at long-on after failing to time a lofted shot. The India captain tried to go down the ground, but Tim Robinson took a brilliant diving catch to end the innings.

Suryakumar Yadav c Tim Robinson b Santner 32(22)

IND 126-3 (10.4)

While Abhishek Sharma is on fire, Suryakumar Yadav is also scoring at a healthy pace. The India captain has moved to 31 off 20 balls, with the help of four fours and a six. He is looking in fine touch tonight. Can he go on to score his long-awaited fifty?

IND 117-2 (10)

India crossed the 100-run mark in just 8.4 overs, getting there with a SIX from Abhishek Sharma over square leg. The southpaw is firing on all cylinders. New Zealand desperately need his wicket, or he could take the game far away from them.

IND 106-2 (9)

Abhishek Sharma has raced to his half-century in just 22 balls! Another crucial knock from the Indian opener. He was tested early by New Zealand bowler Jacob Duffy, but once he found his rhythm, there was no stopping him.

IND 89-2 (7.4)

A short ball from Ish Sodhi, and he also provided extra width to Abhishek Sharma. The Indian opener cut it away for four through backward point. With that shot, he moved to 36 off 17 balls.

IND 75-2 (6.5)

An expensive over from Kristian Clarke to cap off India's powerplay. 14 runs came off it. After Abhishek Sharma smashed his fourth SIX, captain Suryakumar Yadav too joined the party with a maximum over long leg.

IND 68-2 (6)

Another SIX from Abhishek Sharma! He smashed Kyle Jamieson over deep mid-wicket for his third biggie of the innings. Meanwhile, India crossed the mark of 50 runs quite quickly despite losing two early wickets. The surface has shown spongy bounce, and that has created a fair bit of trouble for the batters.

IND 54-2 (5)

Ishan Kishan is GONE! India are in a bit of trouble after losing two early wickets here. An off-cutter did the trick for Jacob Duffy. Kishan jumped out of his crease but smashed it straight into the hands of the fielder at cover after failing to time it properly.

IND 44-2 (4.1)

Ishan Kishan is GONE! India are in a bit of trouble after losing two early wickets here. An off-cutter did the trick for Jacob Duffy. Kishan jumped out of his crease but smashed it straight into the hands of the fielder at cover after failing to time it properly.

Ishan Kishan c Chapman b Jacob Duffy 8(5)

IND 27-2 (2.5)

A confident start for Ishan Kishan! The southpaw makes a return to international cricket with a classy boundary. It was pitched up, and Kishan lofted it down the ground for an easy four.

IND 22-1 (2)

Soft dismissal for Sanju Samson! He got off to a flying start but lost his wicket after handing an easy catch to the fielder at short mid-wicket. Kyle Jamieson, who got smashed for two fours in this over by the India opener, is fired up.

IND 18-1 (1.5)

It was turning out to be a brilliant first over from Jacob Duffy, but Abhishek Sharma spoiled it with a SIX on the final ball. It was pitched up, and the southpaw slammed it high down the ground for a boundary. Earlier in the over, Duffy had tested the India opener by cramping him for room.

IND 8-0 (1)

Jacob Duffy begins with a fuller delivery that had a hint of away swing after pitching on the middle stump. Sanju Samson got onto the back foot and defended it to the off-side. A dot ball starts the India vs New Zealand first T20I.

Both teams lined up for their respective national anthems. The visiting side, New Zealand, started with theirs, and hosts India followed. Just two minutes left for the action to unfold in Nagpur. Are you ready?

"The square was relayed in 2024 and this is the first T20I since. Looking at the numbers from the past, pretty low-scoring, not an easy surface to bat on. The grass covering all around the block is fantastic. It'll be quite low and quite slow. I don't think it'll be a really high-scoring affair. There are runs around with a good outfield and it'll come onto the bat just medium to slow pace, I think so. I don't think it's going to be easy from a seamer's point of view, just about nice straight lines and length," said Deep Dasgupta and Simon Doull.

"But the last time New Zealand were here, it actually turned quite a bit. Yes. I'm not going to see too much turn tonight. Maybe early while it's a bit damp, I think. It's not as firm as we usually see in T20I pitches. All these cracks are kind of wide. They're not thin those cracks. So with wider cracks, every time the ball lands on those cracks, chances are it'll do a little bit and the edges might start breaking. So it might be a high-scoring pitch like 220 to 230. I don't think that's the case," they added.

India (Playing XI): Sanju Samson(w), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah.

New Zealand (Playing XI): Tim Robinson, Devon Conway(w), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner(c), Kristian Clarke, Kyle Jamieson, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy.

"We were looking to bowl first because we felt there was dew around 8.30 during our practice. But we don't mind putting runs on the board and we have done well batting first. Shreyas, Harshit, Bishnoi and Kuldeep are the ones who are missing out," said India captain Suryakumar Yadav.

"We are going to bowl first. Looks like a pretty good wicket and looks pretty high-scoring. Last week was pretty special. Every team knows how hard it is to come to India and won but this is a fresh series and they are a tough team in home conditions. Great start for us in terms of prep for the World Cup. Three seamers. Clarke makes his debut, Jamieson and Duffy are playing as well," said New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner.

The coin lands in favour of returning New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner and he has opted to bowl first in this first T20I. Chasing will get easier on this track with dew playing a role in the second innings.

The ICC has rejected Bangladesh's request to shift its T20 World Cup matches out of India. The apex cricket body has given the side a 24-hour deadline to decide on its participation. Follow the live updates on the developments HERE 

Meanwhile, we are just five minutes away from the toss for the first India vs New Zealand T20I. Stay connected!

Next stop on the road to #T20WorldCup 2026
Charged and ready for the st T20I #TeamIndia | #INDvNZ | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/16HTcZWUIP

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 21, 2026

This match will also see the return of Ishan Kishan to India's Playing XI. With Tilak Varma ruled out of the first three matches, the wicketkeeper-batter is set to take the No. 3 position. This will be Kishan's first India game since November 2023.

India's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav put in a poor performance at the highest level last year. His numbers in T20Is in 2025 stand at a disappointing 218 runs in 19 innings at an average of 13.62, without a single half-century. He will aim to return to form, with just five games left to the T20 World Cup 2026.

India: Sanju Samson(w), Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Ishan Kishan, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh.

New Zealand: Tim Robinson, Devon Conway(w), Rachin Ravindra, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner(c), Kyle Jamieson, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Kristian Clarke, Zakary Foulkes.

Hello everyone, welcome to the live blog of the India vs New Zealand first T20I in Nagpur. This five-match series is a T20 World Cup dress rehearsal for both teams before they play the mega event, which is being hosted by India and Sri Lanka, starting February 7.