Vaibhav lights fuse; Abhishek unleashes a 35-ball explosion! India demolish New Zealand to clinch series

WELLINGTON: India clinched the five-match T20I series against New Zealand with a commanding six-wicket victory in the third match at Sky Stadium on Tuesday. Chasing a target of 199, India reached 199/4 in just 13.2 overs, with Abhishek Sharma leading the charge with a blistering 113 off 38 balls.

Young opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi also made a significant contribution, scoring 45 off 19 deliveries to give India a flying start. The Indian batters put the New Zealand bowling attack under immediate pressure, racing through the chase at a remarkable rate.

Sooryavanshi’s dismissal briefly interrupted the opening assault, but Abhishek continued to dominate. His explosive century, reached off just 35 balls, kept India firmly on course for victory as the required runs came at a rapid pace.

Abhishek departed after taking India’s total to 178, but the damage had already been done. India completed the chase comfortably, finishing with six wickets in hand and 40 balls to spare.

Earlier, New Zealand posted 198/3 in their 20 overs after India won the toss and elected to bowl. Daryl Mitchell top-scored for the hosts with an unbeaten 89 off 52 balls, while Finn Allen contributed 40 and Bevon Jacobs remained unbeaten on 39.

India’s bowlers shared the three wickets, with Arshdeep Singh, Axar Patel and Nitish Kumar Reddy claiming one apiece.
The victory gave India an unassailable 3–0 lead in the five-match T20I series, with two matches remaining.