Abhishek Sharma underlines India’s strength ahead of T20WC
The opener smashed the second-fastest fifty by an Indian batter in T20Is as the hosts sealed another 20-over series victory.
Abhishek Sharma was the shining light as India stormed to an eight-wicket win over New Zealand in the third T20I in Guwahati on Sunday. The home side took an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series confirming another series victory.
Sharma smashed 68* off just 20 deliveries completing his half-century in just 14 balls, the second fastest by an Indian in T20I cricket, behind Yuvraj Singh, the man who coincidentally mentored Abhishek in the early phase of his career.
The 25-year-old seemed to have taken his lessons well as he hammered seven fours and five sixes during his stellar knock.
He was complimented well by skipper Suryakumar Yadav who hit a 26-ball 57 to help India chase New Zealand’s target of 153 in just 10 overs. It was the second fastest chase of a 150+ score in T20I cricket history.
Suryakumar’s return to form after he scored his second successive fifty is a welcome development for the hosts ahead of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 as they look to become the first team to successfully defend their crown.
India have not lost a T20I series since being crowned world champions in Barbados in 2024 and will go into the 2026 edition next month full of belief.
In another positive development for India, strike bowler Jasprit Bumrah bagged three wickets as he seemed close to his best helping India restrict New Zealand to 153/9 in their 20 overs.
The co-hosts are in Group A along with Pakistan, USA, Namibia and Netherlands and will begin their campaign against USA in Mumbai on February 7.