NAGPUR: New Zealand claimed a shock 47-run victory over tournament favourites India in the opening match of the World Twenty20 Super 10s.
Chasing 127 to win on a slow, low surface in Nagpur, the hosts were bowled out for a paltry 79 in 18.1 overs despite captain MS Dhoni’s 30.
Mitchell Santner took 4-11, Ish Sodhi 3-18 and Nathan McCullum 2-15 as nine India wickets fell to spin. New Zealand’s total of 126-7 was built around Corey Anderson’s patient 34.
The value of his innings only became apparent as India, in familiar conditions and with a fervent crowd behind them, slumped to only a second defeat in the past 12 T20s.
England start their Group 1 campaign against West Indies in Mumbai at 14:00 GMT on Wednesday, after Pakistan against Bangladesh in Kolkata at 09:30.
England, World T20 champions in 2010, are the only team to win the tournament after losing their opening game.
