India Vs New Zealand: Indians Thrash Kiwis By 8 Wickets In Guwahati T20I, Take 3-0 Lead In Series

Guwahati: India thrashed New Zealand by eight wickets in the third T20I at Guwahati on Sunday. The Indian team has thus won the five-match T20I series against New Zealand by taking an unassailable 3-0 lead. After winning the first two matches, India easily won the third match as well at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati.

New Zealand, batting first, scored 153 runs for the loss of 9 wickets. The Indian team chased down the target in just 10 overs. Abhishek Sharma scored a half-century in just 14 balls, while Ishan Kishan and captain Suryakumar Yadav also played explosive innings. India has taken an unassailable 3-0 lead in the 5-match series. Team India has now won its ninth consecutive T20 series.

How did the Indian batters perfrom?

The Indian team suffered its first setback at a score of zero. Matt Henry dismissed Sanju Samson. But what the Indian team did next was unexpected. Ishan Kishan hit two sixes and a four in Henry's very first over. Following this, Abhishek Sharma also started attacking. 16 runs were scored in the second over, 17 in the third, 11 in the fourth, 12 in the fifth, and 22 in the sixth. In this way, India scored 94 runs in the powerplay itself.

How did Abhishek Sharma perform?

During this time, Abhishek Sharma completed his half-century in just 14 balls. This is the second fastest half-century by any Indian batsman in T20 International cricket. Ishan Kishan was dismissed by Ish Sodhi after scoring 28 runs off 13 balls. The Indian team completed its 50 runs in 3.1 overs. This is also the team's fastest fifty.

After Ishan's dismissal, Abhishek was joined by captain Suryakumar Yadav. Surya also scored a half-century. India won the match in the 10th over. Surya scored 57 runs off 26 balls, while Abhishek scored 68 runs off 20 balls. Abhishek hit 7 fours and 5 sixes. Surya's innings included 6 fours and three sixes. No over in the Indian innings saw fewer than 10 runs scored. All of New Zealand's bowlers conceded runs at an economy rate of 14 or more.

What record has Team India established?

In the third T20 match between India and New Zealand at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, Indian batsmen have created history. Team India completed their 50 runs against New Zealand in just 3.1 overs, making it the fastest team 50 for India in the history of T20 International cricket. This record-breaking start was laid by the opening pair of Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan, who attacked the Kiwi bowlers from the very first over. On the Guwahati pitch, the Indian openers displayed fearless batting, completely dismantling the New Zealand attack and establishing India's dominance in the powerplay.
Previously, India's fastest 50-run record was in 3.4 overs, achieved against Bangladesh in Hangzhou in 2023. With this historic achievement, New Zealand (3.1 overs) now tops the list of the top 5 fastest team 50s for India in T20 Internationals, followed by records against Bangladesh (3.4 overs), Scotland (3.5 overs), Australia (3.5 overs), and Nepal (3.5 overs).

After scoring 50 runs in the first 3.1 overs, the Indian batsmen continued their explosive batting, creating a storm of runs during the powerplay and shattering several old records. Thanks to Abhishek Sharma's whirlwind half-century (51 runs off 14 balls), India posted a massive score of 94/2 in the 6 overs of the powerplay. This is not only India's second-highest powerplay score in T20 Internationals but also the highest score ever achieved by any team against New Zealand in the powerplay. Previously, the record for the highest powerplay score against New Zealand was held by Australia (91/0), which Team India has surpassed.