Suryakumar’s 92* Powers India to 7-Wicket Romp Over New Zealand in T20I Opener
India kicked off the five-match T20I series against New Zealand with a thunderous seven-wicket victory in the 1st T20I at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, on February 1, cruising to 187 for 3 in 17.4 overs while chasing New Zealand’s 186 for 7. Suryakumar Yadav produced yet another T20I masterclass — an unbeaten 92 off 48 balls (8 fours, 6 sixes) — adding 124 in 64 balls with Yashasvi Jaiswal (56 off 34) after early jitters. New Zealand had posted a competitive total thanks to Rachin Ravindra’s 78 off 46 and a late Glenn Phillips blitz (42 off 18), but Arshdeep Singh (3-34) and Varun Chakaravarthy (2-28) kept the lid on the death overs. The win gives India a 1-0 lead and marks their 11th straight home T20I victory — a streak stretching back to 2023.
Wankhede’s famous short boundaries and lightning outfield lived up to the hype under floodlights, with 373 runs scored in 37.4 overs. Suryakumar Yadav’s toss win and decision to field first paid off as his spinners exploited the grip on offer, while the dew factor made the chase a stroll. For stand-in Kiwi skipper Mitchell Santner, the loss number one of the tour was a harsh reminder of India’s T20 depth — especially without Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who are being rested for the entire series.
India XI (Suryakumar Yadav captain) Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav (c & wk), Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan
New Zealand XI (Mitchell Santner captain) Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy
Umpires: Anil Chaudhary & Rohan Pandit. Third umpire: Jayaraman Madanagopal.
New Zealand – 186-7 (20 overs) Allen fell for a duck in the first over — caught at mid-off off Arshdeep. Ravindra and Chapman rebuilt with a 78-run stand; Chapman holed out to long-on off Chakaravarthy for 38. (78-2). Ravindra reached 78 off 46 (9×4, 3×6) before skying Bishnoi. Phillips detonated 42 off 18 (3×4, 4×6) in the final four overs, but Arshdeep’s triple-wicket 19th over (including Phillips and Santner) capped the damage. Arshdeep 3-34, Chakaravarthy 2-28, Bishnoi 1-32
India – 187-3 (17.4 overs) Abhishek Sharma launched the chase with three sixes in the first two overs but fell for 28 off 12, caught at deep square off Ferguson (38-1). Jaiswal and Suryakumar then took complete control:
- 124-run 2nd-wicket partnership in 64 balls
- Jaiswal 56 off 34 (6×4, 3×6) — caught at long-off off Santner
- Suryakumar 92* off 48 (8×4, 6×6) — finished with a towering six over midwicket off Henry Tilak Varma (8*) hit the winning runs.
Santner 1-38, Ferguson 1-42 — the rest went for 9+ an over.
Key Moments
- Salt-Abhishek 38 in 2.4 overs — fastest T20I powerplay start vs NZ
- Suryakumar’s 92* — fastest T20I fifty by an Indian captain (26 balls)
- 26 sixes in the match — joint-most in an India-NZ T20I
Player of the Match: Suryakumar Yadav (92* & 1 catch) Player of the Series (so far): Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav: “Loved batting with Jaiswal — he took the pressure off. Wankhede always special.”
Mitchell Santner: “186 felt 15–20 short. SKY is a different beast at home.”
Series: India 1–0 New Zealand Next → 2nd T20I: Eden Gardens, Kolkata — February 4 (7:00 PM IST)
India one win from sealing the series; New Zealand desperate for a fightback under lights at the iconic Eden.
