Abhishek shines as India beat New Zealand by 48 runs in first T20I

Abhishek Sharma starred with a powerful half-century as India defeated New Zealand by 48 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match T20I series in Nagpur on Wednesday.

The left-hand opener clubbed eight sixes and five boundaries in a 35-ball 84 to power India to 238/7 in 20 overs. Rinku Singh scored an unbeaten 44 off 20.

Sanju Samson, who was retained in the opener role in the continued absence of Shubman Gill, made 10, while Ishan Kishan, who returned to the national side after two years, made 8.

New Zealand's chase ended on 190/7, with Glenn Phillips top-scoring with a 40-ball 78. Mark Chapman made 39, while Daryl Mitchell added 28. For India, Varun Chakravarthy and Shivam Dube bagged two wickets each.

The second match of the series will be played at Raipur on Friday. India lost the ODI series, 1-2, to New Zealand after winning the first match.

Brief scores: India 238/7 in 20 overs (Abhishek Sharma 84, Rinku Singh 44 not out, Suryakumar Yadav 32, Jacob Duffy 2/27, Kyle Jamieson 2/54) bt New Zealand 190/7 in 20 (Glenn Phillips 78, Mark Chapman 39, Daryl Mitchell 28, Shivam Dube 2/28, Varun Chakravarthy 2/37)