India beat New Zealand in Guwahati to seal series as Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav chase down 154 in 10 overs
India clinched an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match T20I series against New Zealand after restricting the visitors to 153/9 and then chasing the target in just 10 overs in Guwahati, led by Abhishek Sharma and skipper Suryakumar Yadav.
Bowlers set it up, batters finish in a sprint
India sealed the T20I series against New Zealand in Guwahati with a performance that flipped the expected script. After two high-scoring games earlier in the series, the decisive match at Barsapara saw India’s bowlers take control first, restricting New Zealand to 153 for 9. That total looked chaseable on a good batting surface, but the speed at which India got there turned the contest into a sprint.
In response, Abhishek Sharma produced a blistering unbeaten 68 off 20 balls, while captain Suryakumar Yadav added an unbeaten 57 off 26 balls. India completed the chase in just 10 overs, losing only two wickets, and in the process went 3-0 up to make the five-match series unreachable for the visitors.
Early wobble, then total control
The chase began with an immediate jolt as Sanju Samson fell for a golden duck on the first ball, briefly raising the possibility of pressure. But Sharma’s powerplay assault ensured momentum stayed with India, and even the dismissal of Ishan Kishan after a quick start did little to slow the run rate. With Suryakumar in, the scoring options expanded, and New Zealand’s bowlers had little margin for error.
Sharma’s innings also pushed him into a notable personal milestone, as he recorded one of the fastest T20I fifties by an Indian, reinforcing his reputation as a high-impact top-order hitter. His knock, paired with Suryakumar’s boundary-hitting and game management, made the chase feel less like a contest and more like a statement.
Key spells: Bumrah returns, Bishnoi makes an impact
India’s bowling effort featured Jasprit Bumrah returning after a one-match break to pick up 3 for 17, while wristspinner Ravi Bishnoi delivered 2 for 18 after coming into the XI. India’s plan kept New Zealand under pressure with regular wickets, limiting the visitors’ ability to launch at the death despite a mid-innings stand.
With the series decided, attention now shifts to how both teams manage workloads, combinations and tactical experiments across the remaining matches, especially with major tournaments shaping selection debates and role clarity.