India vs New Zealand: Abhishek Sharma hits a 14-ball 50 to seal a T20 series win for the hosts

India opener Abhishek Sharma’s 14-ball 50 led the hosts to win the T20 series over New Zealand with a crushing eight-wicket win in Guwahati.

In pursuit of 154 to win, the 25-year-old smashed an unbeaten 68 off 20 deliveries, while Suryakumar Yadav scored 57 not out 26 as the hosts went past their target with 10 more runs to spare.

The victory gave India an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series – an emphatic response to the previous one-day international series loss to the Black Caps.

After being put into bat, New Zealand were restricted to 153-9 from their 20 overs, with Glenn Phillips top-scoring with 48 off 40 balls.

Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah took an impressive score of 3-17, while Hardik Pandya and Ravi Bishnoi took two wickets each.

Sanju Samson was bowled for a duck off the first ball of India’s reply by New Zealand seamer Matt Henry.

But Abhishek and Ishan Kishan scored 53 runs in just 19 balls, before the latter was dismissed by leg-spinner Ish Sodhi for 28 off 13.

Abhishek continued his onslaught, taking 50 runs with a six off the last ball of the powerplay.

Only six players and one Indian – Yuvraj Singh against England in 2007 – have reached the number faster in men’s T20 internationals.

Abhishek hit seven fours and five sixes in all, while captain Suryakumar hit six fours and three sixes in his knock, sealing victory with consecutive boundaries.

The fourth T20 will be played in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday.

Defending champions and co-hosts India are favorites to defend their T20 World Cup title when the competition begins on February 7.