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NEW DELHI: Abhishek Sharma’s pyrotechnics followed a now familiar script as India out-batted New Zealand by 48 runs in the opening T20 International on Wednesday.

Abhishek has made a habit of lighting up evenings across the cricketing world with his fearless strokeplay and it was no different this time. He blasted 84 off just 35 balls and found good support from Rinku Singh, who stayed unbeaten on 44 off 20 balls to finish India’s innings strongly. India piled up a commanding 238 for 7 on what was a true batting surface at Jamtha.

Phillips, Chapman fight but pressure too much

In response, Glenn Phillips played a blazing knock of 78 off 40 balls and Mark Chapman chipped in with 39 off 24 as the pair added 79 runs in just seven overs. For a brief period, New Zealand looked threatening but the asking rate kept climbing and the pressure eventually told.

The visitors closed on 190 for 7. Varun Chakravarthy picked up two key wickets while Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya struck early to keep India in control.

Abhishek’s impact in India’s T20 dominance

Over the last year, the Indian team has looked almost unbeatable in the shortest format and Abhishek has been central to that rise. At just 25, his role is clear. Attack from ball one and leave bowlers rattled.

On the night, the world’s top-ranked T20I batter showed no mercy. Eight towering sixes and five fours flowed from his bat as New Zealand’s fielders were left watching from a distance.

Abhishek’s fearless approach also allowed skipper Suryakumar Yadav to settle in. Though Surya was not at his fluent best, his 32 off 22 balls came during a vital 99-run stand off just 47 balls for the third wicket.

Rinku seals it, bowlers finish the job

Rinku Singh finally got enough balls to play an innings of substance and made it count as India closed their 20 overs in emphatic fashion.

It took Abhishek only five deliveries to find his rhythm against Jacob Duffy before launching his first six straight into the sight screen. Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan fell cheaply in between but once Abhishek got going, there was no stopping him.

His biggest strength remains his bat speed and New Zealand lacked the express pace to trouble him. With deliveries coming on nicely from Kristian Clarke and Kyle Jamieson, the ball kept disappearing over the ropes.

Even spinner Glenn Phillips was not spared as Abhishek smashed his first three boundaries after already clearing the fence four times.

Suryakumar did show brief flashes of his best with a crisp back-foot punch and a whipped six but he remains short of his peak. Mitchell Santner tried to rein things in and managed Surya’s wicket, but Abhishek continued his assault before falling to Ish Sodhi.

Rinku then took over, hammering 21 runs off Daryl Mitchell in the final over to push India to a total that proved well beyond New Zealand’s reach.

(With PTI Inputs)