India thrash NZ to clinch T20I series 3-0

India produced a commanding all-round performance to crush New Zealand by eight wickets in the third T20 International, sealing the five-match series 3-0 with two games still to play. The contest turned into a one-sided exhibition of power-hitting as Abhishek Sharma and skipper Suryakumar Yadav blazed unbeaten half-centuries to finish the chase inside 10 overs.
Chasing a modest 154, India lost Sanju Samson early for a golden duck, continuing his lean run in the series with scores of 10, 6 and 0. However, Ishan Kishan and Abhishek quickly erased any doubts. Kishan, fresh from his match-winning 76 in Raipur, struck two sixes and a four off Matt Henry in a single over, racing to 28 off 13 balls before falling. Abhishek, who had been dismissed for a duck in the previous game, responded with fearless intent. He hammered Jacob Duffy for 16 runs in an over and raced to a 12-ball fifty – the second fastest by an Indian in T20Is, just behind his mentor Yuvraj Singh.
India’s powerplay score swelled to 94/2, their second-best ever, effectively putting the result beyond doubt. From there, Abhishek and Suryakumar toyed with the New Zealand attack. Abhishek remained unbeaten on a blistering 68 off 20 balls, laced with seven fours and five sixes, while Suryakumar continued his sublime touch with 57 not out off 26 deliveries, striking six boundaries and three sixes. Their unbroken 102-run stand for the third wicket came off just 40 balls, wrapping up the chase with 60 deliveries to spare.
Earlier, India’s bowlers had set up the victory with disciplined spells. Wrist spinner Ravi Bishnoi, returning to the side after nearly a year in place of Varun Chakravarthy, grabbed the opportunity with both hands.
He returned figures of 2 for 18, maintaining relentless control through the middle overs and breaking crucial partnerships. Jasprit Bumrah, back after being rested for the Raipur game, was the pick of the attack with 3 for 17, while Hardik Pandya chipped in with 2 for 23.
India struck early inside the powerplay, reducing New Zealand to 36/3. Hardik set the tone in the opening over with a stunning backward-running catch to dismiss Devon Conway for 1. He then removed Rachin Ravindra cheaply, with Bishnoi completing the catch at deep square leg. Bumrah made an immediate impact as second change, uprooting Tim Seifert’s off-stump with a full delivery. Bishnoi bowled with precision, denying the batters momentum and dismissing Glenn Phillips for 48 just as he looked set for a fifty. Mark Chapman offered resistance with a brisk 32 off 23 balls, adding 52 runs with Phillips, but Bishnoi broke the stand with a sharp take by Samson behind the stumps.
Kuldeep Yadav endured an off day, conceding 19 runs in his second over as Chapman and Phillips briefly counter-attacked.
However, India quickly regained control through tight spells from Bumrah, Hardik and Bishnoi, ensuring New Zealand could never break loose. The visitors eventually finished at 153/9, a total well below par against India’s batting firepower.
The emphatic win underlined India’s dominance in the series. Abhishek’s breathtaking assault, Suryakumar’s consistency, and the disciplined bowling effort combined to secure an unassailable lead. With two matches remaining, India have already sealed the series, showcasing depth in both batting and bowling while giving opportunities to returning players like Bishnoi.
The victory also highlighted the growing competition for places, with Samson’s struggles contrasting sharply against Kishan’s explosive form.
Brief Scores:
New Zealand: 153 for 9 in 20 overs (Glenn Phillips 48; Jasprit Bumrah 3/17).
India: 155 for 2 in 10 overs (Abhishek Sharma 68, Suryakumar Yadav 57; Matt Henry 2/28)