Guwahati, Jan 25 (NationPress) With the T20 World Cup rapidly approaching, Team India has delivered a powerful message to their competitors, defeating New Zealand by eight wickets in the third T20I held at Barsapara Cricket Stadium. This dominant win also secured a 3-0 series victory for India in the five-match series, leaving the BlackCaps in disarray.

Although the Suryakumar Yadav-led squad faced an early challenge in their chase when Matt Henry dismissed Sanju Samson with the very first ball of the second innings, opener Abhishek Sharma, along with Ishan Kishan and the captain, ensured that the team was not deterred and propelled the hosts towards an impressive victory.

The trio showed no mercy, striking at every delivery as the white Kookaburra soared through the air, with India completing their chase even before the drinks break.

Abhishek and Kishan forged a remarkable 53-run partnership in just 19 balls before Kishan was dismissed, scoring a dazzling 28 off 13 balls, which included three fours and two sixes.

The following moments were pure mayhem as Abhishek and Suryakumar illuminated the stadium and set the pace. Abhishek reached the second-fastest fifty by an Indian player, while Suryakumar maintained his exceptional form with the bat, signaling positive trends as the defending champions head into the World Cup.

Abhishek finished with an impressive 68 runs off just 20 balls, while Suryakumar contributed an unbeaten 57 off 26 balls, enabling India to chase down an average target in merely 10 overs.

Earlier, bowlers Jasprit Bumrah, Ravi Bishnoi, and all-rounder Hardik Pandya turned the tide in favor of India, restricting New Zealand to a mere 153/9 in 20 overs.

India started strong, limiting New Zealand to 36/3 during the powerplay. Hardik Pandya made an immediate impact, assisting Harshit Rana in removing Devon Conway (1) with a brilliant diving catch in the opening over and then dismissing Rachin Ravindra (4) in the second over. Jasprit Bumrah followed suit by accounting for Tim Seifert (12) with his first delivery, giving India three early breakthroughs.

Glenn Phillips and Mark Chapman attempted to stabilize the innings with boundaries in the middle overs, but Kuldeep Yadav and Shivam Dube struggled to contain the runs. However, Ravi Bishnoi disrupted their partnership, bowling out Chapman (32) with a well-flighted googly and later dismissing Phillips (48), triggering a batting collapse.

Pandya struck again to remove Daryl Mitchell (14), while Bumrah's fiery spell accounted for Kyle Jamieson (3) and Mitchell Santner, with Matt Henry (1) being run out, as the visitors barely managed to survive 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.