India Vs New Zealand, 1st T20I: All-Round Performance Sees Kiwis Trump India By 21 Runs - In Pics

Sent into bat first, New Zealand suffered early losses, but were rejuvenated by half-centuries from Devon Conway and Daryll Mitchell before the spinners spun a web around the Men In Blue. Devon Conway and Daryll Mitchell starred with the bat while New Zealand spinners took advantage of the turning and bouncy Ranchi track to go ahead 1-0 up in the 3-match T20I series against India. Conway (52) and Mitchell (59) ensured that the Kiwis had a respectable total to defend by clearing the bad balls with the latter punishing Arshdeep Singh in the last over of the innings by scoring 27 runs. India's batting did not get off to a good start as Ishan Kishan (4) and Rahul Tripathi (0) returned to the pavilion by the third over. Mitchell Santner then sent back the in-form Shubman Gill for 7. The hosts did see hope momentarily, as Suryakumar Yadav (47) and captain Hardik Pandya (21) forged a partnership. Washington Sundar, too, held up his end scoring a 28-ball 50, but that was not enough to help India cross the line. Michael Bracewell (2/31) and captain Mitchell Santner (2/11) were the pick of the bowlers, while Lockie Ferguson chipped in with 2 wickets in the later stage of the match.

Updated: 28 Jan 2023 10:16 am

India Vs New Zealand, 1st T20I | Photo: AP/Bikas Das

New Zealand's Lockie Ferguson, center, celebrate the wicket of India's Kuldeep Yadav with his teammates during the first Twenty20 cricket match between between India and New Zealand in Ranchi.

India's Washington Sundar balance himself after playing a shot during the first Twenty20 cricket match between between India and New Zealand in Ranchi.

India's captain Hardik Pandya watches his shot during the first Twenty20 cricket match between between India and New Zealand in Ranchi.

New Zealand's players celebrate the wicket of India's Suryakumar Yadav during the first Twenty20 cricket match between between India and New Zealand in Ranchi.

India's Deepak Hooda, right, plays a shot during the first Twenty20 cricket match between between India and New Zealand in Ranchi.

New Zealand's Michael Bracewell, center, celebrate the wicket of India's Ishan Kishan with his teammates during the first Twenty20 cricket match between between India and New Zealand in Ranchi.

India's Suryakumar Yadav, right, watches his shot during the first Twenty20 cricket match between between India and New Zealand in Ranchi.

New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell plays a shot during the first Twenty20 cricket match between between India and New Zealand in Ranchi.

New Zealand's Devon Conway plays a shot during the first Twenty20 cricket match between between India and New Zealand in Ranchi.

New Zealand's Glenn Phillips plays a shot during the first Twenty20 cricket match between between India and New Zealand in Ranchi.

New Zealand's Devon Conway, right, and Glenn Phillips run between the wickets to score during the first Twenty20 cricket match between between India and New Zealand in Ranchi.

India's captain Hardik Pandya, center, celebrates wicket of New Zealand's Finn Allen with his teammates during the first Twenty20 cricket match between between India and New Zealand in Ranchi.