Nagpur, Jan 21 (NationPress) Varun Chakaravarthy and Shivam Dube each claimed two wickets as India triumphed over New Zealand by 48 runs in the opening T20I of the series at VCA Stadium in Nagpur on Wednesday.

India's batting performance had already paved the way for a win ahead of next month’s T20 World Cup, with Abhishek Sharma scoring 84 and Rinku Singh contributing an unbeaten 44, propelling the team to 238/7 – their highest T20I total against New Zealand. In pursuit of 239, New Zealand stumbled to 52/3 before Glenn Phillips kept them in the game with a solid 78 off 40 balls, featuring four boundaries and six sixes.

Mark Chapman scored 39 off 24 balls, with their partnership of 79 runs off 42 balls briefly igniting hopes of a successful chase. However, they soon fell in quick succession, leaving New Zealand with a total of 190/7 at the end of their 20 overs. This victory allowed India to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

Alongside Chakaravarthy and Dube, new-ball bowlers Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya each grabbed a wicket. Jasprit Bumrah, marking his return, appeared to struggle with rhythm, while India was concerned about Axar Patel, who had to leave the field midway through his final over due to an injury sustained while attempting to stop a boundary from Daryl Mitchell.

New Zealand's innings started poorly as Devon Conway edged a ball behind to wicketkeeper Sanju Samson, who executed a brilliant low catch to his left off Arshdeep. Rachin Ravindra soon followed, falling to a slip catch off Hardik for just one run.

Phillips and Tim Robinson attempted a counterattack, scoring seven boundaries between them. Yet, Chakaravarthy's introduction in the seventh over proved effective. Robinson, trying to go over mid-wicket, was deceived and caught in the air. Phillips remained steadfast, hitting Patel for a six and consistently finding the boundary, with Chapman adding to the urgency against Chakaravarthy and Bumrah.

Upon returning, Bumrah almost created a chance, but Rinku missed a catch from Chapman at deep backward square-leg. Phillips soon reached his half-century in just 29 balls, continuing his assault by lofting Chakaravarthy for a six and driving him for additional runs.

Chapman joined in, hitting a six over wide long-on and later striking boundaries off Axar. However, Phillips fell in the 14th over, caught at long-on off Axar, concluding an innings that had kept New Zealand in contention. Chapman persisted with his aggressive play, but as the required run rate escalated, risks became unavoidable.

He was dismissed in the 15th over, caught at long-on off Chakaravarthy. Daryl Mitchell and Mitchell Santner attempted to revive the chase by collectively hitting six boundaries. Nevertheless, despite their efforts, India’s bowlers finished strong, with Dube taking out both Mitchell and Kristian Clarke on consecutive deliveries to secure a decisive win for India.

Brief scores:

India 238/7 in 20 overs (Abhishek Sharma 84, Rinku Singh 44 not out; Jacob Duffy 2-27, Kyle Jamieson 2-54) beat New Zealand 190/7 in 20 overs (Glenn Phillips 78, Mark Chapman 39; Shivam Dube 2-28, Varun Chakaravarthy 2-37) by 48 runs.