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).
Invited to bat first, the hosts racked up a mammoth total of 225/4 on the board. Glenn Phillips starred with the bat for the Kiwis, smashing 82* off 40 balls with 8 fours and 3 sixes. Finn Allen (45 off 24) and Bevon Jacobs (31 off 16) made vital contributions with the bat.
Chasing a massive target of 226, the visitors reached home with just 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 the tourists over the line in a tense final over, finishing the match with a top-edged hook for six.
Cricket fraternity was full praise for the Indian team as they pulled off a daunting run chase to take 1-0 lead in the five-match T20I series.
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