India defeated New Zealand by four wickets in the first T20I, chasing 226 runs. Sanju Samson scored 67 and Abhishek Sharma made 29 as the opening pair added 93 runs. Axar Patel contributed 24, while Shreyas Iyer scored 42. Naman Dhir played a crucial knock of 42 off 15 balls. New Zealand posted 225/4, powered by Glenn Phillips’ unbeaten 82 off 40 balls, but India held their nerve.