India defeated New Zealand by 8 wickets in the third Twenty20 International and took an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series in Guwahati on Sunday thanks to powerful fifties from Abhishek Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav.
India overhauled the 154-run target in 10 overs, scoring 155/2, riding on Abhishek’s 20-ball 68 and skipper Suryakumar Yadav’s 57 off 26 balls.
Abhishek, who produced a breathtaking 12-ball fifty, remained unbeaten on a scorching 68 off 20 balls (7×4, 5×6) Suryakumar hammered an equally fluid 57 not out off 26 deliveries (6×4, 3×6), as India converted the match into a one-sided display of power-hitting while chasing a modest 154.
With 60 deliveries to spare, the duo finished the game with an uninterrupted 102-run partnership for the third wicket in just 40 balls.
Abhishek’s assault was especially impressive as the left-hander destroyed the New Zealand attack with ruthless intent, racing to a 12-ball fifty—the second fastest by an Indian in T20Is, just two balls behind his mentor Yuvraj Singh.
However, India experienced an early setback when Sanju Samson was removed for a golden duck, continuing his problems at the top. Before colliding with the off-stump, Matt Henry’s initial delivery brushed the thigh pad.
With Ishan Kishan making a compelling case with his spectacular batting, Samson’s scores in the series now stand at 10, 6, and 0, further putting pressure on his position.
In a single over, Ishan, fresh off his game-winning 76 in Raipur, hit Henry for two sixes and a four, displaying his lofted strokes and commanding pull.
After falling for a duck in the last game, Abhishek quickly joined the chaos, dancing down the track to bash Jacob Duffy and score 16 runs in an over.
India’s powerplay score surged to 94/2, their second-highest ever, falling just short of the 95 they had scored against England. This basically sealed the victory.
Ishan was dismissed for a quick 28 off 13 balls. However, New Zealand had no reprieve. While Abhishek continued to effortlessly clear the ropes, Suryakumar smoothly transitioned into top speed, puncturing gaps at will and experimenting with his signature scoops and flips.
Earlier, alongside the seasoned pair of Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya, wrist spinner Ravi Bishnoi made his comeback with an outstanding session as India restricted New Zealand to an underwhelming 153/9.
Playing for India after almost a year, Bishnoi took advantage of the opportunity to replace Varun Chakravarthy, who was rested. He returned fine figures of 2/18 and maintained unwavering control through the middle overs after Suryakumar Yadav decided to bowl.
India struck early in the power play to reduce the visitors to 36/3 and put them on the defensive. In the first over, Hardik (2/23) dismissed Devon Conway (1) with a spectacular backward-running catch, setting the tone.
Then, in his subsequent over, he struck as Bishnoi at deep square leg finished the formalities after Rachin Ravindra (4) mistimed a short delivery.
After being brought in as a second change, Bumrah made an instant impression and was once again the best bowler, taking three for seventeen. Returning after being rested for the Raipur match, he used a full delivery that angled in to uproot the off-stump and knock over Tim Seifert (12).
The batsmen were then denied any momentum by Bishnoi’s precise bowling. He dismissed Glenn Phillips for 48 with figures of 3-0-9-1, preventing him from reaching a well-earned fifty.
With a quick 23-ball 32 that included two fours and two sixes, Mark Chapman provided resistance. He also put together a 52-run partnership with Phillips to stabilize the innings. But Sanju Samson’s sharp take behind the stumps enabled Bishnoi to break the partnership.
Kuldeep Yadav, on the other hand, had a poor day. After giving up just three runs in his opening over, the left-arm wrist spinner was destroyed in his second over, conceding 19 runs as Phillips cleared long-on after Chapman hit him for consecutive sixes and fours.
Despite that period, India swiftly regained control because of strong performances from Bumrah, Hardik, and Bishnoi. As a result, New Zealand was forced to settle for a below-average total and never score more than six runs per over for the whole of the innings.
