India Dominates as Abhishek, Surya, and Bumrah Crush New Zealand for Series Victory

When a team is on a hot streak, every decision seems to fall into place seamlessly. In the third T20 international against New Zealand at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati on Sunday, India decided to rest their star player Varun Chakaravarthy, giving Ravi Bishnoi a chance.

Playing his first international game in almost 11 months, the 25-year-old looked far from out of practice as he bowled an impressive spell, taking two wickets for just 18 runs. Alongside the formidable Jasprit Bumrah, who claimed three wickets for 17 runs, they played pivotal roles in restricting New Zealand to 153 for nine.

The bowlers had effectively set the stage, leaving the batters to finish the job elegantly.

Abhishek Sharma, with an unbeaten 68, and captain Suryakumar Yadav, scoring an unbeaten 57, did exactly that, swiftly securing victory. They dominated a beleaguered New Zealand attack, reaching the target in just 10 overs, securing an outstanding eight-wicket win and marking India’s ninth consecutive T20 series sweep (3-0).

Despite Sanju Samson being dismissed on the very first ball of the chase, Ishan Kishan and Abhishek quickly dashed any hopes the Kiwis had of forcing a difficult chase for India.

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Ishan got things started by hitting Matt Henry for two sixes and a four in the first over. From that point, Abhishek took charge, showcasing his full range of shots.

He executed powerful leg-side hits, deft slices through the off-side, and clean shots down the ground, leaving the New Zealand pacers stunned. His fourth maximum, a shot over square-leg off Jacob Duffy, brought up his half-century in just 14 balls, the second-fastest by an Indian. Afterward, Suryakumar, who found his groove in this series, continued the onslaught, notching another unbeaten half-century to secure the win stylishly.

Earlier, after being asked to bat first, New Zealand’s innings faltered from the onset when Harshit Rana dismissed Devon Conway for the fifth time on this tour. This dismissal set the tone as most Kiwi batters struggled with their timing and fell trying to clear the deep fielders.

Bishnoi effectively contained Mark Chapman and Glenn Phillips, who found it difficult even to rotate the strike. Meanwhile, Bumrah was exceptional, not giving away anything as the visitors labored to a below-par total. The Indian batters then completed the task emphatically.

Published on Jan 25, 2026