Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav power India to series-clinching win over New Zealand in Guwahati

Bowlers set up a below-par target

India’s T20I series against New Zealand swung further in the hosts’ favour on Monday, 26 January 2026, after a disciplined bowling effort restricted New Zealand to 153/9 in Guwahati. The total was shaped by India’s plans and sharper fielding, turning what looked like a decent batting surface into a game where New Zealand never fully broke free.

With the visitors held to a target that required a measured chase rather than a gamble, India entered the second innings with the advantage of clarity: attack early, keep the run rate soaring, and finish the contest before the pressure of wickets could matter.

Sharma and Yadav turn the chase into a sprint

Abhishek Sharma led the charge with a blistering unbeaten 68 off 20 balls, while captain Suryakumar Yadav added an unbeaten 57 off 26. The pairing ensured there was no let-up after early movement, and India’s scoring rate never allowed New Zealand’s bowlers to reset or slow the momentum.

The chase was completed in just 10 overs with only two wickets lost, effectively compressing a standard T20 target into what felt like a ten-over dash. The result sealed a series-clinching win and underlined how India’s aggressive batting approach has become a consistent match-defining weapon.

A statement win as the series tilts decisively

The victory followed earlier high-scoring games in which India’s batting had already looked dominant, but the Guwahati match added a different shade: the bowlers’ control created a cushion, and the batters finished clinically. For New Zealand, the match illustrated the challenge of defending modest totals against a line-up capable of sustaining boundary-hitting for long stretches.

India’s ability to combine controlled bowling with explosive chases has been a recurring theme in the series, and the Guwahati result reinforced that balance at a crucial moment.