In a sensational begin to the second innings at Nagpur within the India vs New Zealand 1st T20I, Sanju Samson pulled off a ‘Superman’ catch to dismiss Devin Conway on simply the second ball of the chase. Chasing an enormous goal of 239, New Zealand confronted rapid strain as Arshdeep Singh discovered his rhythm immediately. The environment on the VCA Stadium reached a fever pitch because the Indian fielders swarmed Samson to rejoice one of many best wicket-keeping shows seen in latest T20 historical past. This early breakthrough has left New Zealand reeling at 1/1, with the required run fee already climbing towards 13 runs per over.
Sanju Samson’s Superman act ends Devon Conway’s stick with sensational one-handed catch
The dismissal occurred on the second ball of the opening over, delivered by Arshdeep. Arshdeep bowled a fullish, extensive supply at 132 km/h, tempting Conway into an expansive cowl drive. Conway reached for the ball however failed to regulate his backside hand, leading to a thick exterior edge that flew low and quick to the keeper’s left. In a show of pure athleticism and elite reflexes, Sanju Samson didn’t even have time to step throughout; as a substitute, he launched right into a full-length horizontal dive, snatching the ball inches off the turf along with his left hand. It was a one-handed stunner that required immense core power and focus, because the ball was dying on him shortly. The snicked off dismissal of Conway for a 2-ball duck has put India in a commanding place.
Right here’s the video:
WOW 😮
Sanju Samson with an outstanding one-handed screamer 👏
Excellent begin with the ball by #TeamInda 👌
Updates ▶️ https://t.co/ItzV352h5X#INDvNZ | @IDFCFIRSTBank | @IamSanjuSamson pic.twitter.com/Jh5ccUNn9G
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 21, 2026
Additionally READ: IND vs NZ: Abhishek Sharma goes past mentor Yuvraj Singh with blistering knock against New Zealand in Nagpur T20I
Abhishek Sharma powers India’s dominance in Nagpur
In an enormous assertion of intent on the VCA Stadium in Nagpur, India posted their highest-ever T20I whole towards New Zealand, ending at 238/7 behind a masterclass from world No. 1 Abhishek Sharma. After being put in to bat, India confronted early jitters as Samson (10) and Ishan Kishan (8) fell inside the first three overs, however Abhishek fully remodeled the momentum. He performed a panoramic knock of 84 runs off simply 35 balls, smashing 8 sixes and 5 fours at a staggering strike fee of 240.
He reached his fifty in a mere 22 balls, a record-breaking eighth T20I half-century in 25 balls or fewer, and shared a pivotal 99-run stand with captain Suryakumar Yadav (32). The onslaught continued even after Abhishek’s departure within the twelfth over, as Rinku Singh offered a thunderous end with an unbeaten 44 off 20 balls, together with 21 runs off the ultimate over from Daryl Mitchell. New Zealand’s bowlers struggled to search out solutions, with solely Jacob Duffy (2/27) managing to keep up any semblance of management amidst the carnage.
In reply, New Zealand’s chase of 239 received off to a disastrous begin in the course of the Powerplay, reeling at 50/2 after the primary 6 overs. The tone was set on simply the second ball of the innings when Arshdeep drew a thick edge from Devon Conway, which was plucked out of the air by Sanju Samson in a spectacular one-handed diving catch to his left. Issues went from dangerous to worse within the third over when Hardik Pandya struck, dismissing the damaging Rachin Ravindra (1) after a mistimed pull was comfortably taken within the deep. By the tip of the Powerplay, New Zealand discovered themselves in an enormous gap, with Tim Robinson and Glenn Phillips struggling to maintain up with a required run fee that had already soared previous 14 runs per over.
Additionally READ: REVEALED: The ‘Bangladesh’ reason behind James Neesham absence from IND vs NZ 1st T20I in Nagpur
