Ruthless Aggression! Kiwis mere spectators; Men in Blue take unassailable lead

GUWAHATI: India won the T20I series against New Zealand 3-0. India's achievement came with two matches to spare. India chased down the target of 154 runs set by New Zealand for the loss of only two wickets in 10 overs. Abhishek Sharma and captain Suryakumar Yadav, who scored half-centuries, remained unbeaten. Malayali player Sanju Samson's golden duck in today's match left the fans very disappointed.

Chasing the target, India lost Sanju's wicket on the first ball itself 0(1). Matt Henry clean bowled the star. Ishan Kishan 28(13) was the other batsman out. Abhishek Sharma 68*(20) and Suryakumar Yadav 57*(26) made a century partnership of 102* runs. Abhishek hit seven fours and five sixes, while the captain hit six fours and three sixes.

Batting first, New Zealand scored 153 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in the stipulated 20 overs. The Kiwis were held back by a collective performance by the Indian bowlers. Not a single person in the New Zealand line-up could score a half-century. The visitors lost the wicket of opener Devon Conway 1(2) in the very first over, who continues to be in poor form. Co-opener Tim Seifert 12(11) and Rachin Ravindra 4(5) also returned quickly.

Glenn Phillips 48 (40) and Mark Chapman 32 (23) put on a 52-run stand for the fourth wicket to give New Zealand a fighting total. Daryl Mitchell 14 (8), Kyle Jamieson 3 (5) and Matt Henry 1 (1) also disappointed, while captain Mitchell Santner scored 27 (17). Ish Sodhi 2* (5) and Jacob Duffy 4* (3) remained unbeaten for the Kiwis.

Jasprit Bumrah was the star bowler for India, taking three wickets. Hardik Pandya and Ravi Bishnoi took two wickets each, while Harshit Rana got one wicket.