Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell scored fine half centuries as New Zealand defeated India by 21 runs in the first T20 international in Ranchi at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi on Friday.
After being asked to bat first by Indian skipper Hardik Pandya, openers Finn Allen and Conway got New Zealand off to a steady start. The duo added 43 runs for the opening wicket before Washington Sundar struck twice- first by dismissing Allen (35) and then clamming Mark Chapman (0) to a brilliant one handed catch.
The pair of Conway along with Glenn Phillips stitched together a 60 run stand for the third wicket before the latter was caught at deep midwicket by Suryakumar Yadav off Kuldeep Yadav for 17.
The 31 year old Conway fell immediately after reaching his fifty, miscuing the left arm seamer Arshdeep Singh to Deepak Hooda at long off.
However Daryl Mitchell provided a final flourish by taking Arshdeep for 27 runs off the final over to take New Zealand to a competitive total of 177/6 in their allotted 20 overs.
Chasing 178, India got off to a terrible start by losing wickets of Ishan Kishan (4), Rahul Tripathi (0) and Shubman Gill (7) with the score on 15.
Suryakumar Yadav along with Hardik Pandya put on 68 runs for the fourth wicket stand before the former chipped a catch to Allen at wide long on for 47. Hardik (21) top-edged an attempted pull off Bracewell, who took a well-judged catch as the hosts lost half their side for 89.
Deepak Hooda (10) was then stumped by wicket keeper Conway off Mitchell Santner. Shivam Mavi was run out by a direct hit from Santner, following a mix up with Washington Sundar.
Sundar (50) struck some lusty blows towards the end to reduce the margin of defeat. The hosts virtually ended up with 155/9 in their allotted 20 overs.
New Zealand 176 for 6 (Mitchell 59*, Conway 52, Washington 2-22) beat India 155 for 9 (Washington 50, Suryakumar 47, Santner 2-11) by 21 runs
The second T20 international will be played in Lucknow on 29 January, Sunday.