India delivered yet another dominant performance in the ongoing five-match T20I series against New Zealand, sealing the contest with a one-sided eight-wicket win in the third match in Guwahati on Sunday, with two games still to play.
After opting to bowl, India were clinical with the ball as Jasprit Bumrah returned outstanding figures of 3 for 17 to restrict the Black Caps to 153 for 9 in their 20 overs. What followed was an exhibition of sheer batting brutality from the hosts.
Openers Abhishek Sharma and captain Suryakumar Yadav tore into the New Zealand attack, smashing rapid half-centuries as India completed the chase in just 10 overs. In doing so, India registered the fastest successful chase of a 150-plus target by a full-member nation in T20I history, eclipsing West Indies’ previous record of 37 balls against South Africa set in 2024.
Abhishek remained unbeaten on 68 off just 20 balls, while Suryakumar blazed 57 not out from 26 deliveries. The duo added 102 runs in only 40 balls, making light work of the 154-run target and underlining India’s growing dominance in the format.
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar lauded both batters after the match and was asked to choose between the two. While admitting there was little to separate them, Gavaskar gave a slight edge to the India skipper.
“There’s very little to choose between the two, but because Surya played some extraordinary shots — like the sweep from outside off and that flick for six, I’d say just a little bit in his favour. It’s like a 19–20 ka farak,” Gavaskar said.
“At the moment, though, who cares whether it’s Abhishek or Surya? India are winning. Both are in great form and it’s entertainment all around,” he added.
The knock marked Suryakumar’s second consecutive fifty in the series after enduring a prolonged lean patch. The India captain, who had struggled for form in 2025 with an average of around 13 in T20Is, appears to have rediscovered his touch, following up his unbeaten 82 in the second T20I with another fluent effort in Guwahati.
