The Black Caps have made a stunning start to the Twenty20 World Cup, upsetting hosts India in their opening game.

New Zealand held their nerve to complete a 47-run win against the tournament favourites and world's top ranked T20 side at Nagpur's VCA Stadium on Wednesday (NZ Time).

A brilliant bowling display by their spin-heavy attack on a brown wicket saw India dismissed for just 79 in reply to New Zealand's vulnerable total of 126.

DANISH SIDDIQUI/ REUTERS Black Caps players rush to Ish Sodhi after the NZ legspinner claimed the wicket of India allrounder Ravindra Jadeja.

Ish Sodhi, Nathan McCullum and Mitchell Santner held a spell over the potent Indian batting lineup, sharing nine wickets between them.

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DANISH SIDDIQUI/REUTERS Black Caps batsman Corey Anderson plays a sweep shot during his innings of 34 against India.

Sodhi took 3-18 off four overs, McCullum 2-15 off three overs and Santner 4-11 off four overs.

New Zealand had put plenty of pressure on themselves, producing their lowest T20 total against India, restricted to just 126-7.

The Black Caps won the toss and batted, wary of the spin-friendly conditions on a low and slow wicket. That saw them include all three tweakers in their lineup.

DANISH SIDDIQUI/REUTERS India's captain and wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (left) prepares to catch the ball to dismiss New Zealand's Mitchell Santner after he skied a shot.

New Zealand made a bright start with Martin Guptill hitting the first ball of the tournament from offspinner Ravichandran Ashwin for six back down the ground.

But he was controversially dismissed lbw to the second ball, attempting a sweep. Replays showed the ball would have gone over the top of the stumps.

Kane Williamson (8) and Colin Munro (7) quickly followed to have New Zealand at 35-3.

DANISH SIDDIQUI/REUTERS Corey Anderson looks back to see his wickets skittled by India's Jasprit Bumrah during his innings in the World T20 opener.

Corey Anderson held the faltering innings together with a patient 34 off 42 balls.

It was late cameos from Luke Ronchi (21 not out off 11 balls) and Santner (18 off 17) that allowed the Black Caps to set up some sort of target.

New Zealand's batting struggles weren't restricted to untangling the Indian spinners – they had Ross Taylor and Grant Elliott run out as the pressure ramped to get the score ticking over.

There were just three sixes and nine fours in their innings.

But the Black Caps bowlers, without front line pace trio of Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Mitchell McClenaghan, made instant inroads.

McCullum and Santner both struck twice inside the opening five overs to have India alarmed at 26-4.

Leg spinner Sodhi produced a marvel ball with his first delivery, ripping it across Virat Kohli and taking the outside edge of the bat for Ronchi to catch and have India 39-5 in the eighth over.

Kohli had made 23 off 27, content to try to anchor the spluttering innings. Suddenly there was pressure on the Indian tail with skipper MS Dohni trying to hold things together.

Santner and Sodhi continued to torment the Indian batsmen, with accuracy and turn, backed up by some good fielding, and India were 43-7 just past the halfway stage of their overs with the required run rate creeping past 12 an over.

Sohdi returned an conceded a rare six to Dhoni but then beat Ashwin with flight and turn to have him stumped by Ronchi to leave India at 73-8.

When Santner produced a false drive from Dohni to have him caught in the deep for 30 and the hosts at 79-9, the Indian fans started leaving the stadium.

The last pair were left trying to find 48 runs from 12 deliveries for an Indian win, but Adam Milne ripped one in to get a rare scalp for the quicks and complete a remarkable win.

New Zealand have now beaten India in all five of their T20 clashes.

The Black Caps' next match is against Australia in Dharamsala on Friday (10.30pm start, NZ time).

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