India Seals Series Against New Zealand After Abhishek Sharma's Explosive Fifty

Guwahati. India clinched a victory over New Zealand, aided by Abhishek Sharma's explosive batting. At the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati on Sunday, after Abhishek hit a half-century in just 14 balls, India completed the target of 154 runs set by New Zealand in just 10 overs, losing only 2 wickets. 

With this win, India took a 3-0 lead in the five-match T20 series, securing the series for themselves. This marks India's 11th consecutive T20 series win.

Batting first after losing the toss, New Zealand managed to score only 153 runs in their stipulated 20 overs. Although Glenn Phillips top-scored for New Zealand with 48 runs, other batsmen could not withstand the Indian bowlers. Jasprit Bumrah bowled lethally, taking 3 wickets, while Hardik Pandya and Ravi Bishnoi scalped 2 wickets each.

Chasing the target, India finished the game with 60 balls remaining. Abhishek Sharma played a blistering innings of 68 runs. He recorded the second-fastest half-century in Indian T20 history. The record belongs to Yuvraj Singh, who scored a fifty in 12 balls back in 2007. Captain Suryakumar Yadav contributed 57 runs, and Ishan Kishan scored 28. Sanju Samson was dismissed without opening his account.

India also set another record in this match by completing their team's 50 runs in just 3.1 overs. For New Zealand, Matt Henry and Ish Sodhi took 1 wicket each. With this defeat, New Zealand has lost five consecutive T20 series against India. New Zealand has failed to defeat India since 2019.

Since losing to the West Indies in July 2023, India has remained undefeated in its last 15 T20 series. The fourth match of the series will be held on January 28 in Visakhapatnam.