Finance
With the T20 World Cup just a few days away, Team India sent a strong message to their opponents by defeating New Zealand by eight wickets in the third T20I here at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium. The sweeping victory also made the five-match series 3-0 in India’s favor, leaving the BlackCaps reeling.
While the Suryakumar Yadav-led side suffered an early setback in their chase when Matt Henry dismissed Sanju Samson on the first ball of the second innings, opener Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and the skipper ensured that the team was unaffected by the blow and led the hosts to a magnificent victory.
The trio was relentless, aiming to hit every ball they faced as the white Kookaburra rocketed across the ground, with India concluding the chase before drinks were served.
Abhishek and Kishan put on a 53-run combination in just 19 balls before the latter was removed, with an explosive 13-ball 28, three fours, and two sixes.
But what happened next was pure devastation, as Abhishek and Suryakumar lit up the arena and unleashed the beat within. While the opening batsman struck the second-fastest fifty ever by an Indian, the captain maintained his good form with the bat, sending optimistic signals into the World Cup as reigning champions.
Abhishek stayed unbeaten, batting 68 off only 20 deliveries, and Surya remained unbeaten at 57 off 26 deliveries, assisting India in chasing down an average target in just 10 overs.
Earlier, spinners Jasprit Bumrah, Ravi Bishnoi, and all-rounder Hardik Pandya flipped the game against New Zealand on its head, reducing the BlackCaps to 153/9 after 20 overs.
India started strong, limiting New Zealand to 36/3 on the powerplay. Hardik Pandya made an immediate impact, assisting Harshit Rana in removing Devon Conway (1) in the opening over with a superb diving catch before picking Rachin Ravindra (4) himself after taking charge of the second over. Jasprit Bumrah followed by dismissing Tim Seifert (12) with his first delivery, giving India three early wickets.
Glenn Phillips and Mark Chapman attempted to rebuild with boundaries in the middle overs, but Kuldeep Yadav and Shivam Dube allowed runs, unable to stem the flow. However, Ravi Bishnoi broke the partnership by dismissing Chapman (32) with a well-flighted googly and then removing Phillips (48), resulting in a batting collapse.
Pandya struck again to dismiss Daryl Mitchell (14), while Bumrah’s blazing spell claimed Kyle Jamieson (3) and Mitchell Santner, and Matt Henry (1) was run out as the visitors just made it through the innings.
Brief Scores: New Zealand 153/9 in 20 overs (Glenn Phillips 48, Mark Chapman 32; Jasprit Bumrah 3-17, Ravi Bishnoi 2-18) lost to India 155/2 in 10 overs (Abhishek Sharma 68, Suryakumar Yadav 57; Matt Henry 1-28, Ish Sodhi 1-28) by eight wickets.
Source: IANS
