In a sensational start to the second innings at Nagpur in the India vs New Zealand 1st T20I, Sanju Samson pulled off a ‘Superman’ catch to dismiss Devin Conway on just the second ball of the chase. Chasing a massive target of 239, New Zealand faced immediate pressure as Arshdeep Singh found his rhythm instantly. The atmosphere at the VCA Stadium reached a fever pitch as the Indian fielders swarmed Samson to celebrate one of the finest wicket-keeping displays seen in recent T20 history. This early breakthrough has left New Zealand reeling at 1/1, with the required run rate already climbing toward 13 runs per over.
Sanju Samson’s Superman act ends Devon Conway’s stay with sensational one-handed catch
The dismissal occurred on the second ball of the opening over, delivered by Arshdeep. Arshdeep bowled a fullish, wide delivery at 132 km/h, tempting Conway into an expansive cover drive. Conway reached for the ball but failed to control his bottom hand, resulting in a thick outside edge that flew low and fast to the keeper’s left. In a display of pure athleticism and elite reflexes, Sanju Samson didn’t even have time to step across; instead, he launched into a full-length horizontal dive, snatching the ball inches off the turf with his left hand. It was a one-handed stunner that required immense core strength and focus, as the ball was dying on him quickly. The snicked off dismissal of Conway for a 2-ball duck has put India in a commanding position.
Here’s the video:
WOW 😮
Sanju Samson with a superb one-handed screamer 👏
Perfect start with the ball by #TeamInda 👌
Updates ▶️ https://t.co/ItzV352h5X#INDvNZ | @IDFCFIRSTBank | @IamSanjuSamson pic.twitter.com/Jh5ccUNn9G
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 21, 2026
Abhishek Sharma powers India’s dominance in Nagpur
In a massive statement of intent at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur, India posted their highest-ever T20I total against New Zealand, finishing at 238/7 behind a masterclass from world No. 1 Abhishek Sharma. After being put in to bat, India faced early jitters as Samson (10) and Ishan Kishan (8) fell within the first three overs, but Abhishek completely transformed the momentum. He played a breathtaking knock of 84 runs off just 35 balls, smashing 8 sixes and 5 fours at a staggering strike rate 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 in the 12th over, as Rinku Singh provided a thunderous finish with an unbeaten 44 off 20 balls, including 21 runs off the final over from Daryl Mitchell. New Zealand’s bowlers struggled to find answers, with only Jacob Duffy (2/27) managing to maintain any semblance of control amidst the carnage.
In reply, New Zealand’s chase of 239 got off to a disastrous start during the Powerplay, reeling at 50/2 after the first 6 overs. The tone was set on just 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. Things went from bad to worse in the third over when Hardik Pandya struck, dismissing the dangerous Rachin Ravindra (1) after a mistimed pull was comfortably taken in the deep. By the end of the Powerplay, New Zealand found themselves in a massive hole, with Tim Robinson and Glenn Phillips struggling to keep up with a required run rate that had already soared past 14 runs per over.
Also READ: REVEALED: The ‘Bangladesh’ reason behind James Neesham absence from IND vs NZ 1st T20I in Nagpur
