Hosts India began their 2026 AVC Men’s Volleyball Cup campaign with a commanding 3-0 victory over New Zealand at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Ahmedabad on Saturday.
Led by captain Jerome Charles Vinith, India won the Pool A preliminary phase match 25-23, 25-19, 25-14 to secure a clean sweep in their tournament opener. The result gives the hosts an early boost in Pool A as they look to build momentum in front of home support.
Chirag was named the best player for India after finishing with 13 points, including 10 from attacks, two blocks, and one point on serve. Outside hitter Joe also made a strong impact with 10 points, while Vinith added nine points in the straight-sets win.
How India sealed the straight-sets win
The opening set proved to be the most competitive of the match, with New Zealand pushing India and applying sustained pressure. India, however, held their nerve late in the set to edge it 25-23 and take a crucial early lead.
Once the hosts settled, the contest tilted decisively in India’s favour. India tightened their game in the second set and pulled away to win 25-19, creating separation on the scoreboard and putting New Zealand under increasing strain.
The third set was India’s most dominant stretch of the match, as they closed out the sweep with a 25-14 finish. According to the match summary, India completed the win in 1 hour and 19 minutes, with the second and third sets lasting 22 and 23 minutes respectively.
India’s key contributors stood out across phases. Chirag’s 13-point haul included production in multiple areas, combining attacking points with blocks and a point on serve. Joe’s 10 points added consistent scoring support, while Vinith’s nine points helped steer the team through the tighter moments, particularly in the first set.
What’s next for India in Pool A
India, ranked 56 in the world, will next face Kazakhstan in their second Pool A match on Sunday. Kazakhstan are ranked 74, and the fixture will be India’s next opportunity to build on a confident start and strengthen their position in the preliminary phase of the 2026 AVC Men’s Volleyball Cup.
