The three-match T20I series between India and New Zealand got underway with the first game at Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Wednesday (November 17).

Asked to bat first, the visitors posted 164/6 in 20 overs on the back of opener Martin Guptill’s 42-ball 70 and Mark Chapman’s 50-ball 63.

R Ashwin (2-23) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2-24) were the stand-out bowlers for India as they bowled economically and claimed two wickets each.

In reply, the Men in Blue got off to a terrific start with the duo of skipper Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul adding 50 runs in just five overs. Rohit dominated the partnership as Rahul got out for 15.

After Rahul’s dismissal, Suryakumar Yadav arrived in the middle and he along with captain Rohit took the game away from the Kiwis. The pair put on 59 runs for the second wicket to put India in a strong position.

Trent Boult broke the partnership by removing Rohit for 36-ball 48 but Suryakumar held the one end firmly and scored his third half-century in the shortest format. Boult also dismissed Suryakumar Yadav but not before the right-hander smashed 62 off 40 balls.

In the death overs, India lost Shreyas Iyer (5) and debutant Venkatesh Iyer (4) cheaply but Rishabh Pant stepped up to the plate and played an unbeaten knock of 17 to take the home team over the line with five wickets in hand and two deliveries to spare.

Cricket fraternity was impressed with India’s performance in their first game under the full-time captaincy and coaching of Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid, respectively.

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