Hyderabad: India’s Abhishek Sharma said he never felt under pressure despite the high stakes after his unbeaten 84 steered the home side to victory in the first T20 International against New Zealand.
Chasing a challenging total, India faltered early but regained control through a composed innings from Abhishek, who combined aggression with calculated shot selection to anchor the chase. His performance helped India secure a solid win and seize an early lead in the three-match series.
“I didn’t feel it was a high-risk situation,” Abhishek said in the post-match media interaction. “I was just focused on my process and backing the team plan. The intent was clear and thankfully it came off.”
The young batter’s knock was built on timing and placement, allowing India to stay ahead of the required run rate. He rotated the strike effectively and punished loose deliveries, pacing his innings with maturity beyond his years.
Abhishek also praised the contributions of his teammates, noting that the partnership dynamics and support from the dressing room boosted his confidence throughout the innings.
“It’s always about the team first,” he said. “Everyone played their part today and that gives you the freedom to express yourself when you’re batting.”
India’s bowlers had earlier restricted New Zealand to a competitive score, setting up a tense chase. The fielding unit also made key interventions that kept pressure on the visitors.
The victory in the opening game sets India up well in the series, with the next T20I scheduled in the coming days. Abhishek said the team would focus on maintaining intensity and building on the positive momentum.
“We want to keep improving, learn from every game, and come back stronger,” he added.
The performance will boost Abhishek’s confidence as he continues to establish himself as a key member of India’s limited-overs setup, especially with major events on the international cricket calendar ahead.
