Sanju Samson takes easy catch as LSG star gives India crucial breakthrough in NZ vs IND 2026 1st T20I [Watch]

Star Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) pacer Mayank Yadav drew first blood for India in the opening T20I against New Zealand. Wicketkeeper Sanju Samson was also involved in the crucial dismissal. The first game of the five-match series is being played at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Thursday, October 22.

India won the toss and opted to bowl first. New Zealand openers Finn Allen and Tim Seifert got them off to a good start, adding 46 runs for no loss in the first four overs. Mayank Yadav came in as the first change to bowl the fifth over and gave India the much-needed breakthrough.

He broke the partnership by dismissing the dangerous Tim Seifert on the final ball of his over. He bowled a short-of-a-length delivery wide of off at 141 kph. Seifert swung hard, trying to smash it over covers. However, he ended up edging the ball behind to wicketkeeper Sanju Samson, who completed an easy catch. Seifert had to walk back for 24 runs off 17 deliveries.

Watch the video of the dismissal below -

Mayank Yadav was pumped as it was his first wicket in his very first over on his first-ever New Zealand tour. While the senior pacers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Arshdeep Singh went for runs, it was Mayank who gave India the first breakthrough.

All eyes will be on Sanju Samson in the New Zealand series

With Sanju Samson being preferred over Vaibhav Suryavanshi at the top, all eyes will once again be on the star opener in the New Zealand T20I series. He has been in decent form, scoring two half-centuries against the West Indies in the previous series.

However, Samson has not had a great record in New Zealand in T20Is so far. In two innings, he has managed to score just ten runs. That said, the pressure will be on Samson to perform well and consistently throughout the series.

In 25 innings so far this year, Sanju Samson has scored 703 runs at an average of 29.29 and a strike rate of 179.33, with seven half-centuries to his name. Samson will aim for a solid series with the willow.

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