Sharma’s 68 off 20 and 14-ball fifty fuel India past NZ ahead of World Cup
Sharma’s 68 off 20 and 14-ball fifty fuel India past NZ ahead of World Cup
Abhishek Sharma’s blistering 68 off 20, including a 14-ball fifty, helped India chase 154 in 10 overs to seal the series 3-0 and spotlight NZ’s learnings ahead of the T20 World Cup.
In New Delhi on Sunday, Abhishek Sharma continued his scorching form, smashing an unbeaten 68 off 20 balls, including a 14-ball fifty, as India chased down 154 in 10 overs to seal the series 3-0.
Sharma’s previous performance in the opener—84 off 35 with eight sixes—had already underscored his impact and India's power-hitting template, setting the tone for the latest victory. New Zealand batter Mark Chapman acknowledged Sharma’s explosive approach, describing his six-hitting as more than raw aggression—it's sharp awareness and planning that teams will study ahead of the World Cup.
“I haven’t seen him in person much, but his six-hitting ability is second to none. He seems to be putting real thought into his batting,” Chapman said after the match, noting that a batter in such form leaves little margin for error. There’s a lot for both sides to review across all facets.
Bumrah led the bowling with 3/17, supported by Hardik Pandya, Bishnoi, and Rana as New Zealand were restricted to 153/9. In reply, Sharma’s 68* and Suryakumar Yadav’s 57 boosted India to 155/2 in 10 overs, delivering an eight-wicket win and a 3-0 series triumph.
With the World Cup looming, India will take confidence from this dominant performance, heading into the tournament starting February 8 in Chennai against Afghanistan. The series may be over, but Sharma’s form is setting a distinctive tone for Indian cricket on the global stage.
