- Sanju Samson’s One-Handed Stunner Sends Devon Conway Packing

Originally posted on Cricfit | By Sarvang Bhola | Last updated Jan 21, 2026 11:58 PM ET

Team India wicketkeeper Sanju Samson produced a moment of brilliance behind the stumps to remove New Zealand opener Devon Conway during the first T20I at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur. Chasing a daunting target of 239 runs, the Black Caps suffered an early setback.

Their innings got off to a nightmare start as Conway was dismissed for a two-ball duck in the opening over. Left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh delivered a full-length outswinger outside the off stump, which the left-hander attempted to drive through the covers.

The ball took a thick outside edge, and Samson reacted sharply, diving to his left to pull off a superb one-handed catch and send Conway back to the pavilion. You can watch the video here:

A screamer to land the first blow!

Arshdeep Singh’s sharp outswinger finds Conway’s edge, and SUPER SANJU pulls off a sensational diving one-handed catch! #INDvNZ | 1st T20I | LIVE NOW https://t.co/o7KbRwpZwK pic.twitter.com/DWZIq7oMN5

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) January 21, 2026

Notably, this marked the fourth occasion in as many T20Is that Devon Conway was dismissed by Arshdeep Singh. The early breakthrough put the visitors under immediate pressure. Their troubles deepened in the very next over when Rachin Ravindra fell to Hardik Pandya after managing just one run from five deliveries.

Sanju Samson Fails To Make An Impact With The Bat In IND vs NZ 1st T20I

Sanju Samson drew significant attention after being selected in India’s T20I squad for the New Zealand series and the 2026 T20 World Cup, edging out Shubman Gill. However, the wicketkeeper-batter endured a disappointing outing with the bat in the series opener. Opening the innings, Samson showed brief promise by striking two boundaries off Kyle Jamieson in the second over.

Jamieson, though, had the last laugh, dismissing Samson in the same over. The right-hander was caught at midwicket while attempting a flick shot, managing just 10 runs from seven deliveries. Abhishek Sharma led the charge for the hosts with a sensational display, hammering 84 runs off just 35 balls.

Rinku Singh provided valuable impetus at the death with a blistering unbeaten 44 off 20 balls, while captain Suryakumar Yadav chipped in with 32 from 22 deliveries. Powered by these contributions, India posted an imposing total of 238/7 in their allotted 20 overs. For New Zealand, Kyle Jamieson and Jacob Duffy were the standout bowlers, picking up two wickets each.

This article first appeared on Cricfit and was syndicated with permission.

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