Guwahati: India registered a commanding victory over New Zealand in the third and final T20I on Sunday to complete a clean 3-0 sweep of the series, underlining their strong form ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Asked to bat first, New Zealand struggled to build momentum after losing their top three batters inside the Powerplay. Glenn Phillips and Mark Chapman attempted to steady the innings, while skipper Mitchell Santner showed resistance, but India’s disciplined bowling attack never allowed the visitors to shift gears. The Kiwis were eventually bowled out for 153, a total that proved well below par on a good batting surface.
Jasprit Bumrah led India’s bowling charge with a superb spell of 3 for 17, while Ravi Bishnoi provided excellent support. The duo shared five wickets and conceded just 35 runs in their combined eight overs, effectively strangling New Zealand through the middle phase.
India’s chase began with a brief hiccup as Sanju Samson departed for a golden duck, but that was the only moment of concern. Ishan Kishan launched the counterattack before Abhishek Sharma and captain Suryakumar Yadav took complete control. The hosts raced to 94 runs in the Powerplay, breaking the back of the chase early.
Abhishek Sharma was the standout performer with the bat, smashing the second-fastest T20I fifty by an Indian, reaching the milestone in just 14 balls. He and Suryakumar added a blistering 102-run partnership off 40 balls, turning the contest into a one-sided affair.
At the presentation, Bumrah reflected on his journey and adaptability as a fast bowler, while Suryakumar praised the team’s fearless approach and the clarity in Ravi Bishnoi’s role. New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner admitted that losing early wickets hurt badly and said the series offered valuable lessons ahead of the World Cup.
India’s dominant all-round display sealed a convincing series win, with the Men in Blue showing depth, flexibility, and firepower as global cricket’s biggest tournament draws closer.