India's Explosive Chase Lights Up Guwahati: Abhishek Sharma's Blitz Pushes Series Sweep vs NZ

In a high-octane third T20I at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, India dominated New Zealand, restricting them to 153/9 before launching a blistering chase to secure a commanding series lead.

With a 2-0 advantage from emphatic wins in Nagpur and Raipur, India aimed to clinch the five-match series. New Zealand fought back valiantly but crumbled under India's sharp bowling attack. Harshit Rana struck early, dismissing Devon Conway in the first over, caught by Hardik Pandya. Rachin Ravindra followed soon after, caught by Ravi Bishnoi off Pandya, while Daryl Mitchell managed 14 before falling to the same bowler. Captain Mitchell Santner provided late resistance with 27 off 17 balls, including three boundaries and a six, but New Zealand ended at 153/9.[1][2][3]

India's bowlers set the tone with strategic changes: Jasprit Bumrah and Ravi Bishnoi replaced Arshdeep Singh and Varun Chakravarthy. Hardik Pandya starred with 2/23, maintaining control through the middle overs.[2]

In the chase, openers Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan unleashed fury. Sharma smashed a sensational half-century off just 14 balls, continuing a boundary fest to reach 76/2 in 5.1 overs and 100 in the 7th over. By recent updates, India raced past the target, eyeing a 3-0 sweep ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.[1][3][4]

India's playing XI: Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Harshit Rana, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah. New Zealand: Devon Conway, Tim Seifert, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (c), Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy.[3]

Suryakumar Yadav's recent form, including an unbeaten 82 off 37 in the second T20I, bolsters India's high-powered lineup, blending stability from the middle order with explosive finishing.[1]