Abhishek Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav power India past New Zealand in Guwahati as hosts clinch series lead
India beat New Zealand in Guwahati with a rapid chase led by Abhishek Sharma and captain Suryakumar Yadav after a disciplined bowling effort restricted the visitors. The win helped India go 3–0 up in the five-match T20I series, sealing an unassailable lead. The match also featured record-setting hitting by Sharma as India finished the chase in just 10 overs.
Bowlers set it up, batters finished it fast
India defeated New Zealand in Guwahati on 26 January 2026, riding a sharp bowling performance followed by an explosive chase headlined by Abhishek Sharma and captain Suryakumar Yadav. The match plan differed from the earlier high-scoring games in the series, with India first ensuring the visitors were kept to a manageable total.
New Zealand were restricted to 153 for 9, a score that looked below-par on a surface that appeared good for batting. India’s bowlers executed a disciplined plan backed by alert fielding, keeping pressure constant and preventing any sustained acceleration through the middle overs.
A chase that became a sprint
India’s response was immediate and ruthless. Abhishek Sharma smashed an unbeaten 68 off just 20 balls, while Suryakumar Yadav struck 57 not out off 26. India reached the target in 10 overs, losing only two wickets, turning a T20 chase into what effectively looked like a ten-over dash.
Sharma’s innings carried additional significance: the report noted he logged the second-fastest T20I fifty by an Indian, behind only Yuvraj Singh. Even an early dismissal in the chase did not slow India, as the scoring rate remained extreme and the required total was reeled in with ease.
Series context: unassailable lead
With the win, India moved to a 3–0 lead in the five-match series, making it impossible for New Zealand to level or win the contest. That series position changes the stakes of the remaining games, shifting focus from survival to experimentation, bench strength and preparation for upcoming fixtures.
For India, the combination of controlled bowling and ultra-high-impact finishing created a template that is particularly valuable in modern T20 cricket, where powerplay dominance and death-over clarity can decide matches quickly.