India chased down a colossal target of 226 runs with two balls to spare.
Team India started their all-format tour of New Zealand with a four-wicket victory in the first T20I at Hagley Oval, Christchurch on Thursday (October 22).
Chasing a massive target of 226, the visitors reached home with two deliveries to spare. India's reply was anchored by an explosive opening partnership of 93 runs between Sanju Samson (67 off 33 balls) and Abhishek Sharma (29 off 12 balls).
Once the opening partnership was broken, India lost wickets in quick succession and were reduced to 122/4, with Tilak Varma (6) and Ishan Kishan (1) falling cheaply.
Skipper Shreyas Iyer produced a crucial knock of 42 in 28 balls, and added 45 runs with Axar Patel (24 off 14) to steady the ship. However, it was Naman Dhir's unbeaten 42 off 15 balls that carried India over the line in a tense final over, finishing the match with a top-edged hook for six.
After pulling off their highest-ever successful T20I run chase, Samson elaborated on the team's tactical philosophy, confirming that they actively focus on "killing games in the Powerplay" by maximizing strong starts. He noted that even if they were chasing a lower total like 170, the aggressive mentality remains the same.
"I don't think we would have played a bit differently, but I think it's (in) different phases of the game you have different approaches," Samson told reporters when asked if India's approach with the bat in the chase would have been different had they been chasing a smaller target.
"When you have had a really good start in the Powerplay -- we actually phrase it very differently, like Powerplays is different, middle-overs is different, and the death (overs stage) is different."
"So even if you're chasing 170 and if you've got (off) to a flyer, we make sure that we kill the game in the Powerplay itself. That's what we have been doing really well in the last couple of years."
Samson also shared that the team would stick with this approach, even if it fails at times. "That's what we came up (with) and we try to do that every game. Sometimes it comes off nicely, sometimes it doesn't, but we have to keep believing in ourselves and keep the team in front," he said.
Addressing questions about the team's relentless cricketing schedule, Samson highlighted the proactive measures taken by the team management and the players' elite conditioning routines.
"Last couple of months, we have been playing a lot of games, but to be honest, I feel very lucky that we are playing games. I would prefer playing games instead of not playing games," he stated.
It was a quick turnaround for the Shreyas Iyer-led squad as they faced West Indies in the final game of the five-T20I series in Bengaluru last Saturday (October 17).
"After the England series, we had a very strong meeting where I think things were communicated very properly that we have a very tight schedule coming up, so make sure you do your fitness routines nicely.
"The team has put in some really proper work towards it and physically we are definitely in a great state, and mentally also. We travel in business class, we stay in really big hotels, so we can't complain," Samson added.
Despite a very tight turnaround time and extensive travel following their previous series against the West Indies, the Indian team prioritized establishing early momentum. Samson emphasized that the players put in significant extra effort during their limited training window to ensure they were 100% prepared to set the tone for the five-match series.
"Not only me, I could see each and every player putting in that extra effort yesterday (on Wednesday during training), knowing that there is only one day (to prepare) but we will make sure everything is 100 per cent before we go and play that game," he remarked.
Samson said playing the knocks that he did in the knockout stages of the T20 World Cup 2026 made a huge difference to his confidence.
"When you play for your country and win crucial matches, your mental frame becomes a bit different," Samson said.
"I have been very lucky that I got that a few months ago. It's very important to have that confidence every time you walk out to bat for your country so definitely it is there in my mind."
(With PTI Inputs)