India underlined their dominance in the shortest format with a breathtaking eight-wicket demolition of New Zealand in the third T20 International at the Barsapara Stadium on Sunday, racing to a target of 154 in just 10 overs to clinch the five-match series 3-0 with two games to spare.
Jasprit Bumrah led a disciplined bowling display, returning figures of 3/17 from his four overs, while Ravi Bishnoi (2/18) and Hardik Pandya (2/23) provided effective support as New Zealand were restricted to 153 for nine after opting to bat. Glenn Phillips held the innings together with a determined 48 off 40 balls, while Mark Chapman contributed 32 and Mitchell Santner struck a late 27 off 17 deliveries.
India’s bowlers set the tone early, reducing New Zealand to 34 for three inside the Powerplay. Bumrah’s pace and movement proved difficult to negotiate, while Bishnoi’s control through the middle overs choked the scoring rate. A 52-run partnership between Phillips and Chapman briefly stabilised the innings before Bishnoi broke the stand, and despite Santner’s late flourish, New Zealand never managed sustained momentum.
India’s chase began in dramatic fashion when Matt Henry clean-bowled Sanju Samson with the first ball of the innings. Any hope of a contest, however, evaporated swiftly. Abhishek Sharma launched a ferocious counterattack, smashing an unbeaten 68 off just 20 balls, an innings laced with seven fours and five towering sixes. Captain Suryakumar Yadav provided seamless support, remaining unbeaten on 57 from 26 deliveries, striking five fours and three sixes.
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Ishan Kishan gave India early impetus with a rapid 28 off 13 balls before falling to Ish Sodhi, but the third-wicket partnership between Abhishek and Suryakumar proved decisive. The duo added an unbeaten 102 runs off only 38 balls, dismantling the New Zealand attack with audacious strokeplay and fearless intent.
Abhishek’s half-century came off just 14 balls, the second-fastest by an Indian in T20 internationals, and epitomised India’s aggressive approach. The hosts reached the target with 60 balls to spare, sending a strong message ahead of the remaining fixtures.
The emphatic victory not only sealed the series but also reinforced India’s supremacy in the format, leaving New Zealand staring at the prospect of a clean sweep in the final two matches.
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