Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma set platform for India’s highest T20I chase
The pair scored 93 in the powerplay before New Zealand’s spinners triggered a middle-order collapse.
Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma gave India the platform for their record chase of 226 with an opening stand of 93 in the first T20I. Samson made 67 off 33 balls while Abhishek scored 29 off 12. The stand came at 15.66 runs an over and left India needing 132 from 14 overs. New Zealand’s spinners Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell then took four wickets for 76 runs in eight overs. Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel added 45 before Naman Dhir finished the chase with two balls remaining. It was India’s highest successful T20I chase, surpassing the 209 they made against Australia in 2023.
CricHubb Take
The partnership shows India’s top order can now dictate terms even on slower overseas pitches.