Christchurch, October 22, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson said there was no elaborate strategy behind his explosive opening partnership with Abhishek Sharma, explaining that the duo simply watches the ball and attacks it, after India chased down 226 against New Zealand to register their highest successful run chase in T20 internationals.
Samson smashed 67 off 33 balls, including eight fours and four sixes, to lay the foundation for India’s four-wicket victory in the first match of the five-game T20I series. He and Abhishek, who scored 29 off 12 deliveries, added 93 runs for the opening wicket.
After the openers departed, contributions from captain Shreyas Iyer and Naman Dhir helped India complete the chase with two balls to spare.
“We do have a lot of conversations happening in the middle, but nothing makes sense actually. We just watch the ball and hit hard. It has been working very well for us and I like batting with him at the top,” Samson said at the post-match presentation ceremony, where he received the Player of the Match award.
Samson revealed that the opening pair believed India could put the contest beyond New Zealand’s reach after their explosive start in the powerplay.
“The ball was swinging around a lot, I think in the second half, a bit too much actually. But off the surface it was coming on very nicely. So I think me and Abhi just felt like keeping the shape and having a very positive intent in the powerplay,” he said.
“Once we got off to a flying start, we felt the match could be finished in the first half as well. Six overs, 90-odd runs — that was a great start today. So I think we just wanted to go all out,” Samson added.
His dismissal in the ninth over triggered a brief wobble in India’s chase, but the team recovered to secure a memorable victory in front of a sell-out crowd at Hagley Oval.
Reflecting on the result, Samson emphasised the collective effort behind the win.
“It feels really good. I think, yes, we are just in the moment where the match has been won. Whatever contribution you make, I think it feels good to end up on the winning side. So it’s a really great contribution from all of us in the team. So it was completely a team game today. So really happy that we started off nicely for the series,” he said.
Samson also spoke about how keeping wickets helped him assess the pitch before batting, although he found the conditions had changed considerably by the time India began their chase.
“Absolutely, you definitely think about your batting while you are keeping wickets. But I think today I summed up my way to play the game while keeping. But when I came to bat, it was completely different,” he said.
He explained that the ball initially stopped slightly off the pitch but came onto the bat more comfortably later, with heavy dew affecting conditions.
“In the first half, the ball was stopping a bit from the length area, but in the second half I think the ball was coming on very nicely with heavy dew in the outfield. So I really enjoyed the batting,” Samson added.
The second T20I between India and New Zealand will be played at the same venue on Saturday.
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