Team India easily defeated New Zealand by 48 runs in the opening T20I on Wednesday, January 21, at Nagpur’s Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium. As a result, the hosts established an early 1-0 lead in the five-game series.
India elected to bat first after losing the toss and put up an awesome 238/7 in their 20 overs. Opener Abhishek Sharma continued his good form to hammer 84(35) and lay the groundwork while Rinku Singh exploded in the death with 44* (20). Kiwis were good in the first innings as Jacod Duffy was impressive taking 4-0-27-2.
In response, New Zealand fell short by 49 runs, only managing to score 190/7 in their stipulated overs. All-rounder Glenn Phillips’s brisk 78 was the only resistance as he tried to make a difference but had no support. On India’s successful defense, Varun Chakaravarthy and Shivam Dube took two wickets apiece.
The T20I series opening between the two teams offered entertainment for the supporters, who expressed their feelings with humorous memes on X and Instagram. Below are some of the best memes:
College days corporate life#indvsnzt20 pic.twitter.com/fHgp2KnTA1
— SwatKat💃 (@swatic12) January 21, 2026When Sanju Samson gets a chance #INDvsNZ pic.twitter.com/R1wdsP3t9P
— 💙 (@Alreadysad__) January 21, 2026Abhishek Sharma to newzealand bowlers 😂
pic.twitter.com/7PIdnqaJzF
— maithun (@Being_Humor) January 21, 2026Gautam Gambhir 🫡 pic.twitter.com/CwErl44eun
— Yolo247 (@Yolo247Official) January 21, 20261. Haircut during interview
2. After getting the job pic.twitter.com/1h7JKvIAsc
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) January 21, 2026Sanju Samson 😭 pic.twitter.com/TcMAf6PbFf
— Out Of Context Cricket (@GemsOfCricket) January 21, 2026Academy President Mr. Suryakumar Yadav, also known as Mr. 360+0+0+0 started the year 2026 with a 32(22) knock 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/HNngUvwVcE
— TukTuk Academy (@TukTuk_Academy) January 21, 2026Waited whole day for Samson ball pic.twitter.com/yzI4t7fhaq
— Heisenberg ☢ (@internetumpire) January 21, 2026Gautam Gambhir with Shivam Dube so Rinku Singh can play in the team. https://t.co/fn06vP0cua
— Pakchikpak Raja Babu (@HaramiParindey) January 21, 2026“It is always good when we bat first and put runs on the board” – India captain Suryakumar Yadav after winning 1st T20I vs New Zealand
At the post-match presentation, Team India captain Suryakumar Yadav reminisced on the victory, saying:
“It is always good when we bat first and put runs on the board, when there is a little bit of dew and then defend is always a big positive. The way we batted as well, having been put under pressure in the powerplay at 25/2, we took the game till the 15th over and never stopped, all the batters played their roles well. I felt good when I went into bat, perfect situation for me to go in, good pressure situation.”
He continued:
“As I said earlier as well, I have been batting relly well in the nets. It was just a matter of time of playing a few balls, bat the way I bat and not change my identity. With such heavy dew, few heavy light here and there. Just supporting my fielders but we keep improving, that is one department we always try to keep getting better at, really happy with the boys.”
The second T20I between the two teams will take place on Friday (January 23) at Raipur’s Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium.
