Kiwis beat India by 7 wickets in T20 opener

A fiery 53 from New Zealand keeper Brendon McCullum helped the host beat India by seven wickets in the first Twenty20 match at Christchurch on Wednesday.

McCullum was ably supported by M Gutill (41 of 28 balls), Ross Taylor 31 off 20 balls) and Jacob Oram (29 off 15 balls).

After being put into batting by the hosts, India had made its intentions clear right from the first ball as Gautam Gambhir charged up to pitch from the first ball of match but it was Virender Sehwag who began the onslaught.

The Delhi marauder made an incredible start, mercilessly hitting Tim Southee for three sixes - all on leg-side - in the first three balls he faced, giving India 19 runs from the first over.

Gambhir opened up with a furious cover drive off Iain O'Brien but missed the next one, which uprooted his middle stump. But it has no impact Sehwag, who lofted Ian Butler over the long-off for his fourth six.

However, Brien began the Indian slide, castling Gambhir (6) and Sehwag in successive overs, leaving the innings in tatters.

Rohit Sharma (7), Yuvraj Singh (1) and Mahedra Singh Dhoni fell in a quick succession as India stuttered to 61 for five in eight overs.

It took some lusty hitting by Suresh Raina, who hit five sixes and two fours, and Yusuf Pathan, who made 20 with three sixes to pull India back into the game.

But an astounding catch by Jacob Oram on the ropes at long, cut what could have been an entertaining innings by Yusuf.