India Open T20I Series vs New Zealand With Abhishek-Sanju Blitz

Christchurch, October 22: India began their T20 International series against New Zealand at Hagley Oval with a high-scoring contest, with Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson setting up a strong chase.

New Zealand, after losing the toss, batted first and reached 225 for four in 20 overs. Glenn Phillips led the way with an unbeaten 82, supported by Finn Allen's 45 and Bevon Jacobs' 31.

India's reply began with a powerful opening partnership. Abhishek and Sanju added 93 runs for the first wicket in 35 balls, setting a brisk tempo for the innings.

Sanju scored 67 off 33 balls, hitting four sixes and eight fours before he was dismissed. Abhishek contributed 29 off 12 balls, including three sixes and two fours.

Abhishek's innings also had a notable record attached to it. He struck a six off the first ball he faced in the innings, which was the seventh time he had done so in T20I cricket. That is the highest total for any batter in the format, with Shafiqullah Shinwari next on six and Suryakumar Yadav on five.

The opening pair also matched a T20I record for India. Their five 50-plus opening stands in a calendar year equal the best mark in the format. Abhishek had earlier done so five times in 2025 with Shubman Gill, and Rahul and Rohit Sharma had managed five in 2021. Dhawan and Rohit had four in 2018.

Sanju's half-century also moved him into a joint third place in the list of Indian players with the most 50-plus scores in a calendar year in T20Is. Suryakumar Yadav leads the table with 11 in 2022, while Virat Kohli in 2022 and Abhishek Sharma in 2026 are joint second with nine each. Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson have eight each in 2026.