Team India gets the best possible start in the second innings of the IND vs NZ 1st T20I in Nagpur as Sanju Samson takes a one-handed screamer behind the stumps on the first ball of the second innings. Arshdeep Singh gets his first wicket of the night. New Zealand lost their first wicket in the form of Devon Conway, who has been struggling with his form since the beginning of the tour. 

Sanju Samson gets back into the action as Team India begins the 5-match T20I contest against New Zealand. The keeper-batter could not do anything fancy with the bat but left his mark on the field with his wicketkeeping skills. New Zealand batters walked into the pitch with tremendous pressure as the hosts registered 238/7 in the first innings. The second batting team has no option but to go all out to overcome the massive total. 

On the second ball of the first over of the second innings, Conway swung his bat, looking to smash the ball through the cover region, but got only an outside edge which was flying towards the first slip cordon. Samson spotted the moment to show what he can do as a wicketkeeper. He threw his body, stretching the hands on the right side, and grabbed the ball skillfully. A great piece of bowling by Arshdeep Singh and a great effort by Samson to drop the first blood in the second innings. New Zealand lost their first wicket without opening their run account. 

Read More: IND vs NZ 1st T20I: India vs New Zealand Toss Update and Playing XIs

Watch the sensational catch taken by Sanju Samson: 

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Ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026, the bilateral T20 series is important for both teams as part of preparations. Before the contest, New Zealand had the upper hand as they defeated the hosts in the 3-match ODI series by 2-1. For India, losing another ODI series was considered a big setback. 

Twenty20 format is a whole different game with different types of batters. Abhishek Sharma again lit up the stage in Nagpur with his all-attacking batting. The left-handed batter's 84-run knock off 35 provided Team India a flying start despite losing multiple batters cheaply. Rinku Singh also batted with a strike rate over 200. He came to bat as the number seven batter and secured an unbeaten 44-run innings.