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NEW DELHI: Abhishek Sharma produced a breathtaking 12-ball fifty while skipper Suryakumar Yadav continued his sublime form with another attacking half-century as India cruised through the chase in just 10 overs to register an eight-wicket win over New Zealand in the third T20I, sealing the five-match series 3-0 on Sunday.

Chasing a modest target of 154, India turned the contest into a one-sided show of power-hitting. Abhishek remained unbeaten on a blistering 68 off just 20 balls (7x4, 5x6), while Suryakumar smashed an equally fluent 57 not out from 26 deliveries (6x4, 3x6).

Also READ: Abhishek Sharma blasts second fastest T20I fifty by an Indian batter

The pair put together an unbroken 102-run partnership for the third wicket in only 40 balls, wrapping up the chase with a massive 60 deliveries to spare.

Bishnoi, Bumrah lead bowling stranglehold

Earlier, wrist-spinner Ravi Bishnoi marked his return with a superb spell alongside the seasoned duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya as India strangled New Zealand with disciplined bowling to restrict them to an under-par 153/9.

Abhishek’s assault stood out as the left-hander raced to a 12-ball fifty — the second fastest by an Indian in T20Is, just two balls slower than his mentor Yuvraj Singh — dismantling the New Zealand attack with fearless intent.

India, however, suffered an early hiccup as Sanju Samson’s struggles at the top continued, the opener departing for a golden duck. Matt Henry’s first delivery brushed the thigh pad before crashing into the off stump.

Samson’s scores in the series now read 10, 6 and 0, increasing pressure on his place as Ishan Kishan continues to push his case with explosive performances.

Powerplay carnage takes game away

If that early loss caused any concern, Abhishek and Ishan erased it almost instantly.

Ishan, fresh from his match-winning 76 in Raipur, took Henry apart with two sixes and a four in a single over, showcasing his powerful pull shots and lofted drives.

Abhishek, who had fallen for a duck in the previous match, soon joined the onslaught, dancing down the track to hammer Jacob Duffy and collecting 16 runs from an over.

India’s powerplay tally surged to 94/2 — their second-highest ever, just one short of the 95 scored against England — effectively putting the contest beyond New Zealand’s reach.

Clinical bowling completes dominance

Ishan fell for a brisk 28 off 13 balls, but there was no relief for the visitors. Suryakumar slipped seamlessly into top gear, finding gaps at will and improvising with trademark scoops and flicks, while Abhishek continued to clear the ropes with ease.

The duo toyed with both field and bowlers, finishing the chase in ruthless fashion to underline India’s dominance and confirm an unassailable series lead.

Playing for India after nearly a year, Bishnoi, who replaced the rested Varun Chakravarthy, grabbed the opportunity with both hands. He returned impressive figures of 2 for 18, maintaining relentless control through the middle overs.

India struck early in the powerplay to push New Zealand onto the back foot, reducing them to 36/3.

Hardik Pandya (2/23) set the tone in the opening over with a stunning backward-running catch to dismiss Devon Conway (1). He followed it up by removing Rachin Ravindra (4), who mistimed a short delivery, with Bishnoi completing the catch at deep square leg.

Bumrah, introduced as second change, made an immediate impact and once again finished as the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3 for 17.

Returning after being rested in Raipur, he knocked over Tim Seifert (12) with a full delivery that jagged in to uproot the off stump.

Bishnoi continued to bowl with precision, never allowing the batters to break free.

He denied Glenn Phillips a deserved fifty, dismissing him for 48, and finished his spell with figures of 3-0-9-1 after operating in the fifth, eighth and 12th overs.

Mark Chapman showed resistance with a brisk 23-ball 32, striking two fours and two sixes while adding 52 runs with Phillips to steady the innings.

However, Bishnoi broke the partnership with a sharp catch taken by Sanju Samson behind the stumps.

At the other end, Kuldeep Yadav endured an off day.

After conceding just three runs in his opening over, the left-arm wrist spinner leaked 19 in his second as Chapman hit successive six and four before Phillips cleared long-on.

Kuldeep appeared to experiment too much with flight and length, allowing New Zealand a brief passage of momentum.

Despite that phase, India quickly regained control through tight spells from Bumrah, Hardik and Bishnoi, ensuring New Zealand were never allowed to break loose.

(With PTI Inputs)