Finally, India clinched a victory against New Zealand in T20I. On Wednesday night, India beat New Zealand at Delhi in the first T20I of three-match T20I series.
New Zealand decided to bowl first after winning the toss. India put on a big total of 202/3 at the end of 20 overs.
In reply, New Zealand only managed to score 149/8 at the end of 20 overs. India won the first T20I by 53 runs and took a 1-0 lead in the 3-match T20I series.
Brief Scores: India – 202/3 in 20 overs (Shikhar Dhawan 80, Rohit Sharma 80, Ish Sodhi 2/25)
New Zealand – 149/8 in 20 overs (Tom Latham 39, Kane Williamson 28, Axar Patel 2/20)
Result – India won by 53 runs
Here are some of the statistical highlights of the match:
- Indian opener Rohit Sharma completed his half-century in 42 deliveries. It is the slowest T20I half-century by an Indian batsman on their home soil (in India). The previous record holder was Gautam Gambhir who had completed his half-century in 40 balls against Australia at Mumbai on 20th October 2007.

- Indian opening batsmen Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan put on 158 runs partnership for the opening wicket. It is the third highest opening partnership in T20I history. The top 3 list is given below:
| Partners’ Names (Team) | Partnership Runs | Opposition | Venue | Date |
| Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson (New Zealand) | 171* | Pakistan | Hamilton | 17th January 2016 |
| Loots Bosman and Graeme Smith (South Africa) | 170 | England | Centurion | 15th November 2009 |
| Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan (India) | 158 | New Zealand | Delhi | 1st November 2017 |
- Both the Indian openers scored 50+ runs in this match (Rohit Sharma 80 and Shikhar Dhawan 80). It is the second time when both the Indian openers scored 50+ runs in a T20I match. The first one was on 19th September 2007 against England at Durban (Gautam Gambhir 58 and Virender Sehwag 68).

- New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson scored 28 runs in this match. It is the highest T20I knock by a New Zealand captain against India. The previous record holder was Ross Taylor with an unbeaten 25 runs innings at Chennai on 11th September 2012.
- India won this match by 53 runs. It is India’s first ever T20I victory against New Zealand. India had lost their all five previous T20I encounters against New Zealand.
- India scored 202/3 at the end of 20 overs. It is India’s highest T20I total against New Zealand. India’s previous highest T20I total against New Zealand was 180/9 (20 overs) at Johannesburg on 16th September 2007.