India Clinches T20I Series Against New Zealand with Record-Breaking Chase

India crushed New Zealand in the third T20I at Barsapara Stadium, Guwahati. They chased 154 runs in just 10 overs to win the match and take the series on Sunday, January 25. 

New Zealand's first innings total was underwhelming, given the short boundaries, the excellent batting pitch and the dewy conditions. But now, it feels like even if they got a hundred more, India might have chased it down. Such was the domineering nature of batting that was put on display. 

It did not matter if the bowler hurled the ball outside leg. If Abhishek had decided that he wanted to hit a four at extra cover, he would. So what, if it required him to jump across to get in line with the ball and then go inside-out. He did it, not once or twice, but almost every other ball, like it was child's play. He breached 50 in just 14 balls and then got 18 more runs in the next 6 he played before signing off unbeaten.

India’s Dominant T20I Win Over New Zealand

Meanwhile, the captain, who had been struggling to notch up a score last year, seems to have flipped the right switch just a fortnight before the marquee tournament. He is batting like Suryakumar Yadav used to at his peak. Don't forget Ishan Kishan's 13-ball-28, for that is where it all started.

He came out to bat after Sanju Samson had played around a pretty straight ball to get out for a golden duck and then ensured that India still got 16 runs off that over. Kishan also took a couple of catches and effected a run out today earlier. 

There is hardly anything to write about New Zealand's bowling. Though, one must mention Jasprit Bumrah and co. Yet again, it seemed as if the spearhead of the Indian bowling attack was playing on a different pitch altogether. He returned 3/17 off his four overs. Hardik Pandya too impressed with his 2/23 in 3 overs. Meanwhile, Harshit Rana got the wicket of Devon Conway for the fifth time on this tour and in dewy conditions, Ravi Bishnoi returned an excellent 2/18 off his four overs. Kuldeep and Dube were expensive tonight.