India vs New Zealand, 1st T20I, New Zealand tour of India, 2026 - Live Cricket Score, Commentary

So India flex their batting might and in such conditions and on such flat pitches, they are a side to be feared. That's why they will be one of the big favorites to retain their World Cup when it happens next month in India and Sri Lanka. New Zealand though would be looking to fight back, they are a side who are missing Finn Allen and Tim Seifert and once that duo join them, they will be quite a side too. The 2nd game is on 23rd of Jan. We will be there for that one. Do join us then. For now it's tata bye bye from all of us here.

Abhishek Sharma | Player of the Match: I haven't noticed, but he was talking about it. Still, it's just the, you know, the things we've been following from day one that we had a plan that we want to play this kind of cricket and that's what we are just following it. (on his six-hitting) I think, sir, one thing I've figured that if you want to hit all the balls properly, if you want to play at the striking of 200 or something, that you have to be, you know, carrying that intent and you have to practice a lot for that. Because if you see all these teams, they always have a plan for me. So far, I think it's just not the fielding, it's all about the pitching and the bowling as well. So it's about me preparation I've been doing before the games, because I've got two, three days or maybe a week before this. So I knew in my mind that I'm gonna get challenged by these bowlers and I have this mind. But obviously, I'm gonna back my, you know, instinct and I've been practicing a lot about that. (is it a high-risk strategy to hit sixes?) I don't feel it's a high risk, but for me, it's, I feel this is my, I wouldn't say it's my comfort zone, but it's like I've always want team to be first because they want to use the first six overs and that's what I've been practicing before the nets as well. And that was always in my mind if I do because if you see all the bowlers, all the main bowlers and you know, from all the teams, they bowl first, second, three overs probably. And if I get scores in first three, four overs, then, you know, we have always got the upper hand. (do you range-hit?) No, if you see, I would never do a range hitting because I'm not that strong kind of guy. No, but it's just, I feel more of a timing batter. So, for me, I have to just watch the ball and you know, get used to the conditions because if you see, if we're playing all over the India right now and so I have to adapt the condition very quick. And for that, I plan a day before or probably whenever I get a net session. So, that's always in my mind because these gonna bowlers gonna bowl here and they got some plans, so I have to back it as well. (on choosing which ball to hit) I feel sir, still, if you watch videos or if you watch your batting videos as well, you get an idea that where bowlers is gonna, you know, planning to bowl you or maybe where I'm gonna play my shots. But it's always about me backing my shots because I don't have a lot of shots. It's just a few shots I'm gonna practice a lot about that and I'll just execute it. (on fielding in the slips) I mean, of course, Shubman was the first fielder for that, but obviously, I enjoy a lot of slip fielding and been working really hard with Dileep sir as well. Because he's the man who's behind all our fielding, you know, efforts, and so credit goes to him.

Suryakumar Yadav | India captain: I think it's always good when we bat first, put runs on the board, and if there's a little bit of dew and you go out and defend, I think that's a big positive. And the way we batted, even after when we were put under pressure in the powerplay, we were 25-2, and then we took the game till the 15th over, and then we never stopped, all the batters I think played their role really well and I think that was a big plus point. (eight batters and three strike bowlers, is this the way going forward?) I mean, it looks good. It's been working for me as a team, and so if it's working, let's continue with that. (on his batting) I mean, I felt good when I went into bat. It was perfect time for me to go into bat. Good pressure situation. I've been batting at that situation. And as I said earlier as well, I've been batting really well in the nets. It was just a matter of time when I play a few balls, bat the way I bat. And then not change my identity. (playing more on the off-side today, was it a conscious decision?) I think it came naturally. I mean, whatever strokes I played, I've been practicing really well in the last 2-3 weeks. I've batted similarly during the net session. Played a few practice games as well. So I was feeling good. (on the fielding) Yeah, I think with such a heavy dew, a few lights here and there, I mean, I'm just supporting my fielders. But yeah, I mean, we keep improving, that's one department we try and improve always when we take on the field. So very happy with the effort from the boys. (on Abhishek) My fingers are crossed. I mean, the way he prepares, I mean, it's not just how he bats in the games, but the way he prepares himself, the way he carries himself, when he's in the hotel, in the team bus. I think all those things, small small things, it reflects on the ground and he is enjoying those fruits of that.

Mitch Santner | New Zealand captain: Yeah, I think you're always looking forward, obviously, like you said, you want to win the game. It was a good hit out for us. Come up against a very good team at home. We knew that. Yeah, their record the last two years is outstanding. And, yeah, it was a good game for us but India played very well. (positives from this game) Yeah, I think, obviously, GP's knock, Chappie's knock, especially after, you know, you lose two early. I think on good surfaces if you give yourself a little bit of time, you can catch up, I think we were put under pressure with the ball throughout the innings. And I think, you know, there's no real, you know, try and squeeze a couple of dots moments with this team, you've just got to be on from ball one to win it. (on bowling Mitchell for the last over) No, it's just how it turned out. I think, yeah, I think the way that the Indian boys put the spinners under pressure, it looked like cutters were holding a little in the first innings. I think, you know, Kristian Clarke on debut, bowling those quick spinners looked quite tough to handle. It was just, yeah, I think four out in the last over for anyone, it's always a bit hard. (on Duffy) Don't jinx him Harsha, eh! But yeah, I think he's shown his class over the last few years for us. He's kind of taken that senior bowling role for us and when he swings it up top it's nice, I think, going forward, the only way to slow these guys down is to take wickets. (if 7 is a given for his batting) I still like hiding a little bit more, maybe at 8 but, yeah, I think with our makeup at the moment, I'm 7, obviously, we've got a few more guys to come into the squad who are over in franchise stuff. Neesham, likes of Seifert and stuff as well. So, yeah, I think maybe seven or eight somewhere around there.

Rinku Singh (translated from Hindi): (on his innings) There was pressure on me as I was in and out of the team. The plan was to take singles, doubles and in between hit the boundary. Also to stay till the end and finish it off. That's what I did. GG sir told me to keep the intent. (on the dropped catch) There was no problem with the lights here, I just dropped one and there is nothing much to worry. This series is very crucial, we want to win it. We want to take this confidence and momentum forward into the World Cup and win it. I was batting with Arshdeep paaji and the plan was to take the singles and then I told him I want to face the final over. That's how the mindset is when batting at 5, 6 and 7. (what was the chat with Arshdeep when he played those dots?) Nothing. I just told him to stay still and try and take a single and give the strike to me. Never mind, it happens. I told him time has come to strike the ball in the last two balls and he hit a four as well.

22:42 Local Time, 17:12 GMT, 22:42 IST: Too much for New Zealand this chase. They fought well and even took on India's best two bowlers - Varun and Bumrah but the target was too steep. Conway fell early in the opening Arshdeep over but Phillips was on fire tonight. He struck the ball so cleanly and whenever there was a chance to go for the big hit, he did. Till he was there, there was a slight chance that New Zealand would overhaul this target. And Chapman too hit the ball well. Their partnership kept New Zealand in the hunt but once they went, it was easy after that for India. Bumrah was not at his best and looked rusty. The batting might of India though ensured they had enough in the tank to win easily. Once again Arshdeep the pick and he bowled excellently. What should worry India though is that simple catches were put down and on a big night in a World Cup, could come back to haunt them if that happens again. Stay tuned for the post-match stuff....

Shivam Dube to Kristian Clarke, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

Shivam Dube to Mitchell, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

Axar sitting in the dugout.

India fielding since Asia Cup 2025
Catches taken 73
Catches dropped 26
Catching efficiency 73.7%

52 needed off the last over. The game's done.