Abhishek, Samson put on 93 for first wicket as India chase 226 to win T20 opener in Christchurch

India won the first match of the five-match T20 series against New Zealand, played in Christchurch today. India had won the toss and chosen to bowl first.

New Zealand, batting first, posted a big total of 225 for four. In reply, India reached the target of 226 in 19.4 overs, losing six wickets.

India needed a fast start while chasing such a big target, and openers Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson provided it with aggressive batting. The two put the New Zealand bowlers under pressure and added 93 runs for the first wicket in just 35 balls.

The pair focused on scoring quickly from the start, playing shots all around the ground. India reached 50 in the fourth over itself. The two kept up the attack after that, and the opening stand reached 93.

With this partnership, Abhishek and Samson set the record for India's highest opening stand in a T20 match on New Zealand soil.

The earlier record belonged to former captain Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul, who added 89 for the first wicket in a T20 International against New Zealand in 2020. The record, which had stood for about six years, has now been broken. The stand is also among the best by an Indian opening pair against New Zealand in New Zealand.

In the very first match of the series, Abhishek and Samson not only gave India a strong start but also made history.

The list of the biggest opening partnerships against New Zealand in New Zealand is: Alex Hales and Michael Lumb (England) 143 (2013), Alex Hales and Pathum Nissanka (Sri Lanka) 121 (2023), David Warner and D'Arcy Short (Australia) 121 (2018), Fakhar Zaman and Ahmed Shehzad (Pakistan) 94 (2018), and Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma (India) 93 (2026).