Guwahati Storm: Abhishek Sharma & SKY destroy New Zealand in 10 Overs!

Blitzkrieg in Guwahati! Abhishek Sharma’s 14-Ball Fifty & SKY’s Fury Seal Series for India | Wicket Stump

Date: January 25, 2026

Match: India vs New Zealand, 3rd T20I

Venue: Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati

Result: India won by 8 wickets (Series led 3-0)

1. Welcome back to Wicket Stump! If you blinked, you probably missed it. Tonight in Guwahati, Team India didn't just beat New Zealand; they dismantled them in a display of power-hitting that will be talked about for years. Chasing a respectable 154, the Men in Blue treated the target like a practice drill, hunting it down in just 10 overs.

Yes, you read that right. 155 runs. 60 balls. Game over.

Here is our comprehensive match report from a historic night at Barsapara.

The Toss: SKY Calls It Right

Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and elected to bowl first, citing the dew factor. "We want to know what we are chasing," he said. It proved to be a masterstroke, as the Indian bowlers utilized the early freshness of the pitch before the batters turned the second innings into a nightmare for the Kiwi bowlers.

New Zealand’s Innings: The Bumrah Factor

New Zealand struggled to find rhythm against a disciplined Indian attack. The tone was set early by the returning Jasprit Bumrah, who was simply unplayable.

The Collapse & Recovery

New Zealand were reduced to 36/3 inside the Powerplay. Bumrah removed Tim Seifert (12) with a jaffa, while Hardik Pandya (2/23) accounted for Rachin Ravindra with a sharp bouncer.

Glenn Phillips (48 off 40) and Mark Chapman (32 off 23) tried to stabilize the ship with a 52-run partnership, targeting the spinners in the middle phase. Phillips struck a few lusty blows, including a massive six over mid-wicket, but just as they looked to accelerate, Ravi Bishnoi (2/18) spun a web around them. Bishnoi dismissed both set batters, choking the run flow.

The Finish

Bumrah returned at the death to clean up the tail, finishing with stellar figures of 3/17. New Zealand scraped their way to 153/9, a total that looked competitive—until Abhishek Sharma walked out to bat.

Key Bowling Stats:

 * Jasprit Bumrah: 4-0-17-3

 * Ravi Bishnoi: 4-0-18-2

 * Hardik Pandya: 3-0-23-2

The Chase: The Abhishek & SKY Show

What followed was carnage. Pure and simple.

The Early Jolt & The Counter-Punch

India lost Sanju Samson for a golden duck on the very first ball of the chase. Silence fell over the stadium, but it lasted all of five minutes. Ishan Kishan walked in at number three and immediately went on the offensive, smashing a quickfire 28 off 13 balls before falling to Ish Sodhi.

At 53/2 in 3.2 overs, the game was balanced. Then, Abhishek Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav decided to end it in a hurry.

Abhishek’s Record-Breaking Fifty

Abhishek Sharma was in a mood to destroy. He reached his half-century in just 14 balls, the second-fastest by an Indian in T20Is (just behind Yuvraj Singh's 12-ball record). He showed no respect for the Kiwi pacers, launching Matt Henry and Jacob Duffy into the stands repeatedly.

SKY’s Masterclass

While Abhishek was brute force, Captain Suryakumar Yadav was pure class. Matching his partner shot for shot, SKY brought up his own half-century in 25 balls. The duo put on an unbeaten 102-run stand in just 40 balls.

The match ended in the 10th over with a boundary from SKY. India finished at 155/2, winning with 10 overs to spare.

Key Batting Stats:

 * Abhishek Sharma: 68* (20 balls) [7 Fours, 5 Sixes]

 * Suryakumar Yadav: 57* (26 balls) [6 Fours, 3 Sixes]

 * Ishan Kishan: 28 (13 balls)

Analysis: Why This Win Matters

 * Ruthless Aggression: This was a statement win. Chasing 150+ at a run rate of 15.5 is unheard of. It shows the fearless approach of this new Indian lineup.

 * Bumrah’s Return: 3/17 in his comeback game is a massive boost ahead of the T20 World Cup later this year.

 * Series Secured: Leading 3-0, India can now test their bench strength in the remaining games in Visakhapatnam and Hyderabad.

Final Scorecard Summary

New Zealand: 153/9 (20 Overs)

 * Glenn Phillips: 48 (40)

 * Mark Chapman: 32 (23)

 * Jasprit Bumrah: 3/17 (4)

India: 155/2 (10.0 Overs)

 * Abhishek Sharma: 68* (20) - Player of the Match

 * Suryakumar Yadav: 57* (26)

 * Ish Sodhi: 1/28 (2)

Conclusion

The series is in the bag, but the hunger remains. If tonight was any indication, India isn't just looking to win; they are looking to dominate.

See you for the 4th T20I!

Posted by Admin | Wicket Stump | January 25, 2026