Nagpur, Jan 22 (NationPress) India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav commended his team's batting strength and preparedness to launch powerful shots after clinching a 48-run victory against New Zealand in the opening T20I at the VCA Stadium on Wednesday.

India's batting performance effectively set the tone for their triumph as they prepared for the upcoming T20 World Cup, with Abhishek Sharma scoring an impressive 84 and Rinku Singh contributing an unbeaten 44, propelling the team to a total of 238/7 – marking their highest T20I score against New Zealand. In pursuit of 239, New Zealand found themselves struggling at 52/3, but Glenn Phillips fought back valiantly with a composed 78 off 40 balls, adorned with four fours and six sixes.

Mark Chapman added 39 off 24 balls, as their partnership of 79 runs from 42 balls briefly ignited hopes of a successful chase. However, both players fell quickly, resulting in New Zealand finishing with 190/7 in their 20 overs, giving India a 1-0 advantage in the five-match series.

"I believe it's always beneficial when we post those numbers on the scoreboard, especially with a bit of dew present, which is a significant advantage. The manner in which we batted, even under pressure during the powerplay where we were 25-2, we managed to maintain our composure until the 15th over, and our batters kept pushing. It feels great to have eight batters in the lineup; it's been working effectively for us, so let’s keep it going," he stated post-match.

Reflecting on his personal performance, Suryakumar mentioned, "I felt confident when I stepped out to bat. It was an ideal situation for me. I’ve been preparing well in the nets, and it was just about getting into the groove. The strokes I played came naturally, as I've been honing my skills diligently over the past few weeks. I felt good throughout my practice sessions and in a couple of practice games as well."

Commenting on India’s fielding and Abhishek Sharma’s stellar 84, Suryakumar said, "Given the heavy dew, a few minor errors were to be expected, but I’m supportive of my fielders. We continuously strive to enhance our performance in that area and I’m quite pleased with the effort shown by the team."

“The way he prepares, not just in matches but also during our time together in the hotel and bus, speaks volumes. All those little things reflect on the field, and he is reaping the benefits of his hard work," he added.

New Zealand's captain Mitchell Santner acknowledged the anticipated challenge against India. "It indeed was a challenge. Looking ahead, we obviously wanted to secure the win. India is a formidable team at home, with an impressive record over the past two years. It was a valuable experience for us," he remarked.

Discussing his bowling strategies, particularly opting for Daryl Mitchell in the final over, Santner explained, "It was all about balance. The innings unfolded in a way that spinners were under pressure; it appeared that cutters were effective in the early innings. Kristian Clarke, making his debut, bowled quick spinners that proved challenging. In the final over, having four fielders out is always a tough situation for any bowler."

He also commended pacer Jacob Duffy for stepping up. “He has showcased his talent over the last few years, taking on a senior bowling role and effectively controlling the game early on, which is crucial for our success moving forward."