Guwahati is set for a high-voltage Sunday as India take on New Zealand in the third T20I of the five-match series, with the hosts firmly in control after racing to a 2-0 lead. For New Zealand, it is a must-win encounter to stay alive in the contest, while India will be keen to seal the series early and continue their dominant run at home.
India have stamped their authority on the series with two emphatic wins. The opening T20I saw Abhishek Sharma unleash a blistering 84 off just 35 balls, powering India to a comprehensive 48-run victory. The second game was even more dramatic, as India pulled off a stunning chase of 209 — their joint-highest successful run chase in T20I cricket.
The landmark match also marked India’s 100th T20I at home, made memorable by Ishan Kishan’s explosive 76 off 32 and a return to form for captain Suryakumar Yadav, who finished the chase with an unbeaten 82, well supported by Shivam Dube’s late fireworks.
With the likes of Hardik Pandya and Rinku Singh still to come down the order, India’s batting depth has stood out as a major strength.
However, Sanju Samson has been quiet in the first two matches, and Shreyas Iyer could be drafted into the XI, especially since he was named in the squad for only the first three games, which could lead to a reshuffle in the batting order if the team management opts for a change.
India’s bowling unit has complemented the batting impressively. Young pacer Harshit Rana has made an instant impact, removing Devon Conway in the opening over once again — the fourth time in as many games, including three in the ODI series. Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav have tightened the screws in the middle overs, while Hardik Pandya and Arshdeep Singh have provided timely breakthroughs. Jasprit Bumrah, rested in the previous match, and Axar Patel, who missed out due to injury, could return as the team balances form with workload management.
New Zealand, meanwhile, have struggled to put together complete performances despite flashes of individual brilliance. Glenn Phillips’ fighting 78 in the first T20I and Mitchell Santner’s aggressive 47 in the second have been rare bright spots. Rachin Ravindra and Mark Chapman have shown promise but failed to convert starts into substantial scores.
Tim Seifert, coming off a strong Big Bash League season, could be a key player at the top, particularly in exploiting the Powerplay.
In the bowling department, Matt Henry has led the attack effectively, while Jacob Duffy, currently ranked fourth in the world in T20Is, has impressed with his variations. Captain Santner, along with leg-spinner Ish Sodhi, will have a crucial role in controlling the middle overs against India’s power-packed lineup.
After a tough outing in the previous match, where Zakary Foulkes conceded 67 runs in three overs, Kyle Jamieson is likely to return to the XI. The tall pacer will be under pressure to perform, especially after replacing the injured Adam Milne in New Zealand’s World Cup squad.
Probable XIs
India: Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Axar Patel, Varun Chakravarthy.
New Zealand: Tim Seifert (wk), Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (c), Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy.
What to expect
The Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati is known for its batter-friendly conditions, with flat pitches and quick outfields often producing high-scoring encounters. Interestingly, India have won only once in T20Is at this venue, losing twice to Australia while batting first. With another good batting surface expected, fans could be treated to yet another run-fest as India aim to wrap up the series and New Zealand fight to keep it alive.
Source: BCCI
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