Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan guide India to massive total in 1st T20I

Images for 1st T20I: Sharma, Dhawan guide India to massive total ()

New Delhi, Nov 1 (Cricketnmore) India rode on a record opening partnership to post a mammoth 202/3 against New Zealand in the opening clash of the three-match T20 International (T20I) series at the Ferozshah Kotla here on Wednesday.

Put into bat, Indian openers Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma decimated the Kiwi bowling by bringing up a 158-run first wicket stand in just 16 overs.

While Dhawan belted a 52-ball 80, to eclipse his previous highest T20I score of 60, Rohit continued his glorious form to smash a 55-ball 80, comprising six boundaries and four sixes.

The right-left duo started off cautiously, putting on 46 runs in the powerplay before pressing the accelerator.

Dhawan started off with two boundaries off Trent Boult in the second over before being dropped off an uppish drive by Mitchell Santner at point.

Check full scorecard: India vs New Zealand, 1st T20I

Santner had the ball in his hands but failed to latch on to it as Dhawan accumulated a quick couple of runs.

Rohit was quick to catch up with his partner, launching Tim Southee for a six to start off before riding his luck immediately after the powerplay, when Southee dropped a sitter at the long-off boundary off Colin de Grandhomme.

With the dew setting in, the New Zealanders found it tough to grip the ball, which was well utilised by the Indian duo, reaching 80/0 midway through the innings.

Dhawan had by now reached his third T20 fifty with a single off an inside edge off Santner, who cramped him for room.

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