NEW DELHI: Abhishek Sharma sent the New Zealand bowlers on a leather hunt with a scintillating 35-ball 84 as India posted a massive 238 for 7 in the first T20 International on Wednesday.

The world's top-ranked T20I batter showed no mercy, making the Black Cap fielders look like mere bystanders with eight towering sixes and five crisp fours.

Abhishek's fearless hitting also helped skipper Suryakumar Yadav (32 off 22 balls) get some runs. Although Suryakumar was far from his best, the young opener’s attack at all costs gave him a chance to settle in during a 99-run stand off 47 balls for the third wicket.

Blitzkrieg from the young opener

For someone who can hardly put a foot wrong these days, it took Abhishek just five deliveries to get his eye in against Jacob Duffy (2/27 in 4 overs) before unleashing his first six into the sight screen. He continued in the same vein with seven more towering maximums.

In between, Sanju Samson (10) and Ishan Kishan (8) wasted early chances, but when Abhishek got going, there was no stopping him. His incredible bat speed allowed him to hit freely and create scoring opportunities in front of the square.

The deliveries from Kristian Clarke and Kyle Jamieson came at around 130 clicks on a flat track, giving him plenty of room to clear the ropes. Even spinner Glenn Phillips could only watch as Abhishek hit four of his early maximums off him.

India finish in style

At the other end, Suryakumar looked a bit scratchy but showed glimpses of his class with a back-foot punch through covers off Duffy and a six off Clarke behind square. Still, he remained below his best.

Normally consistent New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner (1/37 in 3 overs) tried to slow things down and got partial success when Suryakumar holed out at long-on. But Abhishek continued his mayhem until leg-spinner Ish Sodhi changed it up, bowling a slightly shorter delivery that Jamieson gobbled up at the catch.

Towards the end, Rinku Singh (44 not out off 20 balls) got enough deliveries to make an impact. He smashed Daryl Mitchell’s final over for 21 runs to help India reach an imposing total.

(With PTI Inputs)