In the first T20I played in Nagpur, Team India defeated New Zealand by 48 runs, setting a record score. Abhishek Sharma, who played an explosive innings of 84 runs, laid the foundation for India's victory. 

IND vs NZ 1st T20I: India performed brilliantly in the first T20 match played at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur. Team India started the series with a win by defeating New Zealand by 48 runs. Batting first after the toss, the Indian team set a mammoth target of 238 runs in 20 overs, losing 7 wickets. This score is India's highest total ever in a T20 International against New Zealand. In reply, the Kiwi team could only reach 190 runs. Abhishek Sharma laid the foundation for India's victory in this match, playing an explosive inning of 84 runs. 

India's highest T20I score against New Zealand

The 238/7 total in Nagpur is India's highest T20 total against New Zealand. India's previous best score was 234/4 in 2023. India has scored 200+ runs against New Zealand five times so far.

India's big T20 scores against New Zealand

21 January 2026 (Nagpur) – 238/7, India won

February 1, 202 (Ahmedabad) - 234/4, India won

10 February 2019 (Hamilton) - 208/6, India lost

24 January 2020 (Auckland) – 204/4, India won

Historical record of Suryakumar Yadav 

Suryakumar Yadav played the 100th T20 International match of his career. He achieved this feat in just 1774 days since his debut, the fastest among players from Full Member countries. Previously, this record was held by Babar Azam (Pakistan) in 2410 days.   

Days taken to play 100 T20s

Suryakumar Yadav (India) - 1774 days

Babar Azam (Pakistan) – 2410 days

Abhishek Sharma's fastest T20 fifty against New Zealand

Abhishek Sharma scored the fastest T20 half-century for India against New Zealand. He reached 50 runs in just 22 balls. 

This record was previously

KL Rahul (Auckland, 2020) – 23 balls

Rohit Sharma (Hamilton, 2020) – 23 balls

.

Record for most fifties in 25 balls or less

Abhishek Sharma has now become the batsman with the most number of fifties in 25 balls or less in T20Is. He has scored eight fifties while batting aggressively. 

Fifty in 25 or fewer balls (T20)

Abhishek Sharma - 8 times

Phil Salt - 7 times

Suryakumar Yadav – 7 times

Evin Lewis – 7 times

Abhishek Sharma hit 8+ sixes in an innings for the fourth time.

Abhishek Sharma hit eight or more sixes in a T20I innings for the fourth time. He now holds the record for the most innings with eight or more sixes for India.

Innings with 8+ sixes for India (T20I)

Abhishek Sharma - 4 innings

Rohit Sharma - 3 innings

Sanju Samson - 3 innings

Abhishek Sharma completes 5000 T20 runs

During this match, Abhishek Sharma completed 5000 runs in T20 cricket (international and league cricket), a major achievement in his career.