India vs New Zealand 3rd T20I at Guwahati: Kishan stars as India completes record chase of 209
India pulled off a dominant chase of 209 against New Zealand in the 3rd T20I at Guwahati on January 25, 2026, with Ishan Kishan leading the charge with 76 off 32, as India surged further ahead in the series.
India produced a blistering batting display against New Zealand in the 3rd T20I at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati, on January 25, 2026, chasing down a steep target of 209 with 28 balls to spare. The chase was powered by Ishan Kishan, who struck 76 off 32 balls, turning a tense start into an emphatic finish.
The match had begun with pressure on the hosts as India slipped to 6/2 early in the chase, but the counterattack was immediate and sustained. Kishan’s intent through the powerplay changed the tempo, and India’s middle order ensured there was no letting up as the required rate was brought under control and then demolished.
A chase that doubled as a statement
The pursuit of 209 was not just a win; it underlined the depth and flexibility of India’s T20 batting. From an early wobble, the innings quickly became a showcase of clean hitting and calculated risk, with boundaries coming in clusters rather than isolated bursts.
The result also carried historical weight: the match report noted this chase as India’s joint-highest successful chase in T20Is, reinforcing how far the team’s white-ball approach has evolved. In a series context, it tightened India’s grip, leaving New Zealand needing quick answers to stay alive.
New Zealand left searching for a way to slow the momentum
From New Zealand’s perspective, setting 209 would normally be a strong position, but India’s response made the total look insufficient. With the ball, the visitors struggled to create sustained pressure after the early wickets, and once the partnership phase began, control slipped rapidly.
As the series continues, New Zealand’s challenge will be to find a way to strike more regularly in the middle overs and prevent India’s hitters from settling—especially on surfaces where 200-plus totals are still chaseable with the right intent and execution.