India 238 for 7 (Abhishek 84, Rinku 44*, Duffy 2-27) beat New Zealand 189 for 7 (Phillips 78, Chapman 39, Dube 2-28, Varun 2-37) by 48 runs
After New Zealand opted to bowl, India came out with an ultra-aggressive approach. Each of India’s top five batters opened their accounts with a boundary. But it was Abhishek who carried on for the longest and hurt New Zealand the most, hitting five fours and eight sixes during his stay. Rinku’s innings ensured India finished with a dew-proof total.
The only worry for them would be Axar Patel’s injury. He walked off the field after hurting his index finger on the bowling hand when he attempted to stop a shot from Phillips off his own bowling, and didn’t return to the field.
Abhishek gives India an action-packed powerplay
There was no shortage of action in the first six overs, with each side landing regular punches. Abhishek opened his account with a straight six off Jacob Duffy in the first over. Sanju Samson did so with a pulled four off Kyle Jamieson in the next. Three balls later, he pulled Jamieson for another four but the bowler had his revenge on the next delivery when Samson flicked one tamely to short midwicket.
Ishan Kishan, playing his first T20I in over two years, marked his return with a first-ball four over the bowler’s head. But he lasted just five deliveries; Duffy had him caught at extra cover with a slower ball. That reduced India to 27 for 2 in the third over. But Abhishek and Suryakumar Yadav kept attacking. Abhishek dealt in sixes, hitting four of those in the powerplay, while Suryakumar collected two overs and a six to take India to 68 for 2 after six overs.
