IND vs NZ | Twitter relieved as Mitchell finally takes wrong step to put down Abhishek in spirited effort

Today at 9:27 PM

Daryl Mitchell has been haunting India for the past fortnight, almost single-handedly winning New Zealand the ODI series against India. But the Kiwi batter finally finished on the wrong side of the fence, albeit in a spirited effort, to put down Abhishek Sharma in the first T20I in Nagpur.

India were quickly off the blocks in the first T20I against New Zealand in Nagpur on Wednesday. Opener Abhishek Sharma was on his way, playing another blistering knock at the top, smashing four sixes in the powerplay to take the Men in Blue to 68/2 after the six-over mark.

Captain Suryakumar Yadav also put in an improved show, supporting the youngster with four fours and a six in his 22-ball 32. After Surya’s dismissal, the home side were placed at 130/3 after 11 overs, with the left-handed opener welcoming Ish Sodhi for his second over with a boundary off the first ball.

In the next ball, he stepped out as the leg spinner tried to get away from his arc with a wrong one that pitched outside off stump. But the batter, who was in majestic touch, just creamed it with an excellent bat swing as the ball flew towards the long off boundary.

However, Daryl Mitchell was stationed there as he jumped up in an attempt to pull off an extraordinary catch. But the ball popped out of his hands just as he was on his way back, with the fielder trying his level best to slash it in with his right palm.

But the ball missed his hand and went on to kiss the cushion as he landed outside the playing area. Unaware of the developments, he quickly got up to throw the ball in, but replays, however, confirmed the story with Sodhi applauding a spirited effort from the all-rounder.

Twitter was relieved as the tormentor finally got a step wrong againstthe Men in Blue as Abhishek continued his whirlwind knock.

Good lord!

pic.twitter.com/3IHyTa6RKE
— Alexandra Rodrigues (@R37389Alexandra) January 21, 2026

Top notch

💯 marks for a top-notch effort! 👏🏻

Daryl Mitchell could not hold on to the chance as Abhishek Sharma cashed in with another MAXIMUM! 👌🏻#INDvNZ | 1st T20I | LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/o7KbRwpZwK pic.twitter.com/02Lt6mJpML
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) January 21, 2026

Massive

Mitchell Santner’s reaction after Abhishek Sharma’s massive six 😳🔥#INDvsNZ #indvsnzt20 pic.twitter.com/zfPOoF9hG9
— Indian Cricket HQ (@Iamvishal_soni) January 21, 2026

Another one

Daryl Mitchell drop catch leads to another maximum for Abhishek.#indvsnzt20 #abhisheksharma #DarylMitchell pic.twitter.com/DfXKi4KGzr
— BLA (@IntimateTechy) January 21, 2026

Superb

What a Sportsmanship shown by Daryl Mitchell 💯

Just after drop the catch of Abhishek Sharma ... #indvsnzt20 pic.twitter.com/iPsIxbQtXj
— Yogesh Kumar (@YogeshK18450) January 21, 2026

Quality one!

Mitchell Santner is a quality spinner, but not against Abhishek Sharma!!🦁 pic.twitter.com/haqFLzswAO
— कट्टर INDIA समर्थक 🦁🇮🇳 ™ (@KKRWeRule) January 21, 2026

History

Abhishek Sharma makes history! 🏏🔥

The young opener started his innings with a massive six against New Zealand, smashing a blistering half-century and breaking records held by Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul. A new era for India’s top order begins! 🇮🇳✨#AbhishekSharma #INDvsNZ #T20I pic.twitter.com/YhIwxRfUEc
— Anurag Maurya (@Anuragm25) January 21, 2026

Made it count

💯 for the effort 👏

Daryl Mitchell spills it, Abhishek Sharma makes it count#INDvsNZ

pic.twitter.com/jH5uyVaYDe
— Pahari Pulse (@paharipulse) January 21, 2026

Well played!

WELL PLAYED, ABHISHEK SHARMA.

- 84 (35) with 5 fours and 8 sixes. The No.1 Ranked T20i batter missed out on a very well deserved hundred here. 💯
— Mohit Gupta (@mohitgupta0908) January 21, 2026

Complete beast!