IND vs NZ: Abhishek Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav power India to series win in Guwahati
India sealed a T20I series advantage against New Zealand in Guwahati as Abhishek Sharma and captain Suryakumar Yadav produced an explosive chase after India’s bowlers restricted the visitors to 153/9, turning the pursuit into a rapid finish on 26 January 2026.
- Reporting desk
- Health India Network News Desk
- First published
India’s bowlers set up a manageable target
India clinched a decisive result against New Zealand in Guwahati, sealing the series after restricting the visitors to 153/9. The match narrative began with India’s bowling plan: tight spells, wickets at intervals, and pressure sustained through fielding and disciplined execution. Jasprit Bumrah returned to take 3/17, while Ravi Bishnoi made an impact with 2/18, ensuring New Zealand never fully escaped the squeeze despite a mid-innings partnership.
The target looked gettable, but the manner of the chase became the headline. Guwahati crowds expecting another high-scoring script got a different kind of spectacle: a chase so fast it effectively resembled a shortened game, with India racing through the required runs at extreme pace.
Abhishek Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav finish the job quickly
Abhishek Sharma (68* off 20) and Suryakumar Yadav (57* off 26) turned the chase into a sprint, with India completing the target in just 10 overs while losing only two wickets. The innings featured clean striking, relentless boundary-hitting and a tempo that left New Zealand’s bowlers with few defensive options once the Powerplay damage was done.
Sharma’s innings also carried a personal redemption arc, coming soon after a low score in the previous game and following an earlier explosive knock in the series. The performance placed him in record conversation for one of the fastest fifties by an Indian in T20Is, reinforcing his growing reputation as a high-impact top-order aggressor.
What this result signals for India
Beyond the series scoreline, the match reinforced two strengths India will value going forward: first, a bowling unit that can control scoring and take wickets even on surfaces that look good for batting; second, a batting group with multiple players capable of ending games early. With the captain among the runs and new-age hitters delivering, India’s combination looks increasingly tuned for modern T20 demands—where run-rate pressure can decide matches in a handful of overs.
- Match location: Guwahati (Barsapara Cricket Stadium).
- New Zealand: 153/9.
- India chase: completed in 10 overs, 2 wickets down.
- Top scores: Abhishek Sharma 68* (20), Suryakumar Yadav 57* (26).