India resist New Zealand fightback to win record-setting T20 cricket opener

India survived a mid-innings wobble to beat New Zealand by four wickets in a thrilling first Twenty20 international on Thursday, completing a record chase of 226 after the hosts posted their highest-ever home total against the visitors.

New Zealand, put in to bat, made the most of friendly conditions. Openers Tim Seifert and Finn Allen raced to 65-1 inside the powerplay, and Glenn Phillips then took charge with an unbeaten 82 off just 40 balls, striking eight fours and three sixes to lift the hosts to 225-4, their biggest T20 total against India on home soil. India's bowlers struggled to contain the scoring, with all five used conceding 10 runs an over or more, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar endured a tough evening in his first T20 international in four years.

India's reply started in blistering fashion. Openers Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma stitched together a 93-run opening stand, with Samson hammering 67 off 33 balls. New Zealand hit back by removing three batters in quick succession to drag the game back into the balance, but Shreyas Iyer countered with a calm 42 to steady the chase, and the visitors held their nerve to complete the record pursuit.

The successful chase set a new benchmark for India in the shortest format, and the win gives the visitors a 1-0 lead in the series. The second T20 will be played on Saturday in Christchurch, according to the report.