In a stunning display of cricket, India defeated New Zealand by eight wickets in the third T20 International held in Guwahati, effectively clinching the five-match series with an unassailable 3-0 lead. The match showcased explosive batting and disciplined bowling, with Abhishek Sharma leading the charge.
After winning the toss, India chose to field first, and their bowlers delivered an exceptional performance. Jasprit Bumrah was particularly formidable, taking 3 wickets for just 17 runs, showcasing a mix of speed and accuracy that dismantled New Zealand’s top order. Ravi Bishnoi, making a return after nearly a year away from the team, also shone with figures of 2 for 18. Together with Hardik Pandya and Harshit Rana, they restricted New Zealand to a dismal 34 for 3 early in the innings, as Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, and Tim Seifert were dismissed cheaply.
Despite a resilient fightback from Glenn Phillips, who scored 48 runs off 40 balls, and a partnership with Mark Chapman that yielded 54 runs for the fourth wicket, New Zealand struggled to build momentum. Bishnoi broke the crucial partnership and ultimately dismissed Phillips, leading to further collapses within the team. A late contribution from skipper Mitchell Santner, who managed 27 runs, brought New Zealand to a total of 153 runs for 9 wickets.
India’s chase began under pressure when Sanju Samson was bowled by Matt Henry on the very first ball. However, Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan turned the tide dramatically, as they aggressively chased down the target, scoring 53 runs off just 19 balls before Kishan’s dismissal at 28.
Abhishek Sharma was the star of the innings, racing to an incredible half-century in just 14 balls, making it the second-fastest T20I fifty for India. He ended the day unbeaten on 68 runs from 20 deliveries, while captain Suryakumar Yadav contributed a solid 57 not out off 26 balls. Their unbroken partnership of 102 runs ensured India chased down the target in a mere 10 overs, reinforcing their dominance as the world’s top-ranked T20 side.
With this victory, India not only secured the series but also showcased their depth in talent and ability to perform under pressure, leaving fans optimistic about their upcoming matches.