The troika of Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah helped India bully New Zealand by eight wickets in the third T20I at the Barsapara stadium in Guwahati on January 25. With this India have pocketed the five-match T20I series 3-0 with two match to spare.
Abhishek, Suryakumar wreak havoc as India bully NZ in 3rd T20I
India first rode on Jasprit Bumrah's terrific three-fer to sum up New Zealand's innings to 153/9 despite Glenn Phillips 40-ball 48. In reply, Abhishek Sharma's carnage-filled 20-ball 68 and Suryakumar Yadav's explosive 26-ball 57 ensured India wrap up the chase in just 10 overs. Ishan Kishan too contributed with a quickfire 13-ball 28.
With this India registered their 11th consecutive series win in T20Is.
Jasprit Bumrah breaks Kiwis's back
Earlier, India’s bowling unit delivered a masterclass in discipline to stifle New Zealand, restricting them to a modest total of 153 for 9. Wrist-spinner Ravi Bishnoi made a triumphant return to the national side, teaming up with veterans Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya to maintain a stranglehold on the Black Caps' batters. After captain Suryakumar Yadav elected to bowl, the Indian attack struck early and often, leaving the visitors reeling at 36 for 3 within the Powerplay.
Making the most of his first international appearance in nearly a year, Bishnoi proved to be a vital inclusion in place of the rested Varun Chakravarthy. He dismantled the middle order with a clinical spell, finishing with figures of 2 for 18. His precision was particularly evident as he removed a dangerous Glenn Phillips for 48, just short of a half-century, ensuring New Zealand could never find their rhythm during the middle overs.
The tone for the innings was set by Hardik Pandya, who contributed both with the ball and in the field. Pandya claimed 2 for 23, starting his spell with a spectacular backward-running catch to dismiss Devon Conway in the very first over. He followed this up by inducing a mistimed pull from Rachin Ravindra, who was caught by Bishnoi at deep square leg. Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah proved why he is the leader of the attack, returning from a brief rest to claim 3 for 17, including a signature delivery that uprooted Tim Seifert’s off-stump. Despite the relentless pressure, New Zealand found a brief moment of stability through Mark Chapman and Glenn Phillips. The pair stitched together a 52-run partnership, with Chapman playing a brisk cameo of 32 from 23 deliveries, including two sixes. However, their resistance was eventually broken by India’s multi-pronged attack, leaving the hosts with a very manageable target to chase.
The fourth T20I between India and New Zealand will be played on January 25.