India dominate New Zealand in Nagpur with Abhishek’s fireworks
Abhishek Sharma smashed 84 off 35 balls as India defeated New Zealand by 48 runs in the first T20I at Nagpur. Rinku Singh added 44 not out, while Glenn Phillips’ 78 went in vain as India posted 238 and restricted NZ to 190
Nagpur: Abhishek Sharma’s pyrotechnics followed a familiar script as India out-batted New Zealand by 48 runs in the opening T20 International here on Wednesday.
Abhishek, who has made it a habit of lighting up stadiums with his array of big hits, smashed 84 off just 35 balls and was complemented by Rinku Singh (44 not out off 20 balls), who applied the finishing touches in India’s commanding score of 238 for 7 on a Jamtha track.
In reply, Glenn Phillips (78 off 40 balls) indulged in some aggressive hitting with Mark Chapman (39 off 24 balls) as they added 79 runs in seven overs, but scoreboard pressure meant they were eventually buried under a flood of runs.
New Zealand finished at 190 for 7 with Varun Chakravarthy (2/37) picking up crucial wickets, while Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya provided early breakthroughs.
In the past 12 months, one format where the Indian team has looked unbeatable is the shortest one, and the primary reason has been the 25-year-old Abhishek, whose role in the T20 side is to leave opposition bowlers rattled.
On the day, the world’s top-ranked T20I batter showed no mercy, making the Black Caps fielders look like bystanders with eight towering sixes and five fours.
Abhishek’s attacking play also helped skipper Suryakumar Yadav (32 off 22 balls) get some runs, although he was far from his best. The opener’s aggressive approach gave his captain time to settle during a 99-run stand off 47 balls for the third wicket.
Towards the end, Rinku Singh got to play an innings of substance after a long time, with India finishing their 20 overs in style.
For someone who can hardly put a foot wrong these days, it took Abhishek only five deliveries to settle against Jacob Duffy (2/27 in 4 overs) before launching the first of his eight sixes into the sight screen.
Sanju Samson (10) and Ishan Kishan (8) wasted opportunities, but once Abhishek got going, there was no looking back.
Abhishek’s strength is his bat speed, and New Zealand’s attack did not have a bowler quick enough to trouble the Punjab left-hander. His straight bat gave him ample chance to score in front of the square.
Deliveries from Kristian Clarke and Kyle Jamieson came at an ideal pace in the early 130s on a flat pitch, and the balls sailed over the ropes.
Such was his six-hitting power that his first three boundaries came off spinner Glenn Phillips after he had already smashed four sixes.
At the other end, Suryakumar looked scratchy, but a back-foot punch through covers off Duffy and a six off Clarke behind square gave glimpses of his class.
Black Caps skipper Mitchell Santner (1/37 in 3 overs) tried to slow things down and got partial success when Suryakumar was caught at long-on.
Undeterred, Abhishek carried on, though he was dismissed in the next over when leg-spinner Ish Sodhi shortened the length and Jamieson took the catch.
Towards the end, Rinku faced enough deliveries to make an impact, clobbering Daryl Mitchell’s final over for 21 runs to take India to an imposing total.
Brief Scores:
India: 238 for 7 in in 20 overs (Abhishek Sharma 84, Rinku Singh 44 not out; Jacob Duffy 2/27).
New Zealand: 190 for 7 in 20 overs (Glenn Phillips 78; Varun Chakaravarthy 2/37).
