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

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.

The southpaw turned up the heat by smashing a couple of sixes even as Rohit got to his 12th T20I half century by clobbering Santner for a maximum and two consecutive boundaries as India's score crossed the 150-run mark in no time.

Leg-spinner Ish Sodhi, who was till now at the receiving end of Dhawan's onslaught, got the better of the southpaw with a googly outside off.

Dhawan's 52-ball knock, comprising 10 fours and two sixes, was ended when he failed to connect the ball and instead nicked back to stumper Tom Latham.

Two balls later, Sodhi packed the dangerous Hardik Pandya (0), who was promoted up to accelerate the scoring rate.

With 3.2 overs left, skipper Virat Kohli (26 off 11 balls) walked into the middle amid loud cheers from the capacity crowd and immediately launched de Grandhomme into the stands over long-on for a maximum.

It was simply not New Zealand's night in the field as Martin Guptill dropped a running catch of Kohli's mistimed swipe at deep midwicket.

The India captain used the life to full advantage belting Boult for a six before Rohit sent the bowler to the third man boundary.

Rohit, however perished in the very next ball caught behind by Latham with India comfortably placed at 183/3.

The dismissal of Rohit brought in former skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who sent his first ball flying out to deep midwicket to remain unbeaten on 7 off two balls.

Brief Scores: India 202/3 (Shikhar Dhawan 80, Rohit Sharma 80, Virat Kohli 26; Ish Sodhi 2/25) vs New Zealand.