India’s dominant T20I series against New Zealand culminated in a spectacular display of power-hitting in Guwahati, as the hosts chased down a target of 154 in a mere 10 overs to seal the series. The third and final match of the series saw India opt to bowl first, a decision vindicated by a disciplined bowling performance. Jasprit Bumrah, returning to the side, alongside Ravi Bishnoi and Hardik Pandya, choked the New Zealand batting lineup, restricting them to 153 for 9. The Kiwi innings never found momentum, placing immense pressure on them as they looked to stop India’s T20 juggernaut.
The real fireworks, however, were reserved for the Indian chase. The opening pair of Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma unleashed a breathtaking assault from the first ball. Kishan, playing with characteristic fearlessness, set the tone. His innings was a statement of intent, a fearless return to form that has powered India at the top of the order. Speaking ahead of the match, Kishan had emphasized that his aim was to ‘enjoy cricket and get back to basics,’ a philosophy he embodied perfectly at the crease. His aggressive approach provided the perfect platform for the carnage that followed.
It was Abhishek Sharma who stole the headlines with a blistering knock for the ages. The young left-hander slammed India’s second-fastest T20I half-century, joining the record books with a display of clean, powerful hitting. His innings propelled India to a staggering 100 runs within the seventh over of the chase, a rate of scoring that left New Zealand shell-shocked. The partnership between Sharma and Kishan dismantled the bowling attack, rendering the contest effectively over in the powerplay itself. The comprehensive nature of the win underscored India’s formidable strength in the shortest format as they build towards the next T20 World Cup.
The series, a comprehensive victory for India, highlighted several key narratives. The form of Ishan Kishan is a significant positive, with former cricketer Aakash Chopra noting that ‘very few have Ishan Kishan’s bravado.’ His ability to take the game on from the start adds a crucial dimension to India’s batting. Furthermore, the emergence of Abhishek Sharma as a match-winner provides exciting depth. For New Zealand, the series ends as a reality check, with their bowlers having no answer to the onslaught in the decisive encounter. The contest between these two sides, often framed as NZ vs IND or New Zealand vs India, once again went decisively in the host’s favor, cementing their status as a premier T20 force.