Jasprit Bumrah’s masterclass with the ball propelled India to a strong position in the third T20I, as New Zealand managed only 153/9 in Guwahati. With the series at 2-0, Suryakumar Yadav’s men need 154 to lock in victory and complete a memorable home triumph.
Opting to field after winning the toss, India struck gold instantly. Conway’s duck-like 1 at 2/1 was followed by Ravindra’s 4, slumping NZ to 13/2. Phillips-Seifert’s 21-run alliance offered brief hope, Seifert scoring 12 off 11.
Phillips anchored with Chapman, their 52-run stand off 41 balls lifting to 86. Chapman’s 32 (23 balls, 2 sixes, 2 fours) and Phillips’ 48 (40 balls, 6 fours, 1 six) nearly turned the tide, but both fell short of milestones. Santner added 27 in a captain’s knock.
The bowling figures told the story: Bumrah (3/17), Pandya (2), Bishnoi (2), Rana (1). India’s formidable XI under SKY includes wicketkeeper Samson, openers Abhishek and Ishan, power-hitters Dube and Rinku, allrounder Pandya, and spinners Kuldeep-Bishnoi.
Facing them is Santner’s New Zealand: Conway, Seifert (wk), Ravindra, Phillips, Chapman, Mitchell, pacers Jamieson, Henry, Sodhi, Duffy.
This chase could define the series. India’s batting depth and home support make them favorites to clinch it emphatically.