Opener Abhishek Sharma’s explosive 113 off 38 balls helped India seal the series against New Zealand with a comfortable win. Batting first, New Zealand set India a 199 run target, but India chased it down in just 13.2 overs. With this win, India take a 3-0 lead in the 5 match T20I series with two match remaining.

Toss

For the third time in a row, India captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and chose to field first.

New Zealand Innings

Pacer Arshdeep Singh gave India an early breakthrough by dismissing Tim Seifert for just two runs. Finn Allen and Daryl Mitchell gave New Zealand the needed start, adding 86 runs off 43 balls for the second wicket. Nitish Kumar Reddy struck with his first ball, breaking the partnership by dismissing Finn Allen for 40 runs.

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Left arm spinner Axar Patel then took the important wicket of Glenn Phillips who scored 17 runs. Daryl Mitchell’s unbeaten 89 off 52 balls helped New Zealand post a competitive total. During his innings he hit five fours and five sixes. Bevon Jacobs supported Mitchell well by scoring 39 runs off 23 balls.

Kiwis finished their innings at 198/3 after 20 overs.

Wicket Takers India

Arshdeep Singh (1/33 in 4 overs) , Axar Patel (1/36 in 4 overs) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (1/38 in 4 overs).

India Innings

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi opened the batting for India in place of Sanju Samson. He and Abhishek Sharma gave India a brilliant start, scoring 133 runs in just 7.1 overs. They set a new T20I record by scoring 118 runs in the powerplay, the highest ever in this format. Matthew Fisher broke the opening partnership by dismissing Vaibhav Sooryavanshi who scored 45.

Abhishek Sharma troubled the Kiwi bowlers with his powerful batting, reaching a brilliant century in just 35 balls. His innings made the chase easy for India. He scored 113 off 38 balls, hitting nine fours and eleven sixes before Jamieson dismissed him.

Sanju Samson scored 18 runs off 14 balls, while captain Shreyas Iyer managed just 5 runs from 10 balls. Tilak Varma scored an unbeaten 1* off 1 ball while Naman Dhir made 4* off 1 as India chased successfully.

Wicket Takers New Zealand

Kyle Jamieson (2/45 in 3.2 overs) , Mitchell Santner (1/17 in 3 overs) and Matthew Fisher (1/23 in 1 overs).

Player of the Match

Abhishek Sharma (113 runs off 38 balls).

Next Match

Fourth T20I of the series will be played in Auckland on October 30.