India are in red-hot form in their final series ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026 as their batters have fired in both games. They did extremely well batting first in the series opener in Nagpur and then hunted down a big score of 209 in record time in the second clash in Indore. The Suryakumar Yadav-led team is now looking to seal the series in the third game at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati and bag it with two games left as the T20 World Cup 2026 sits on the horizon.
And that's the end of the partnership as Bishnoi gets Chapman in his second over.
We are done with the first 10 overs as New Zealand have now begun to score runs quickly. They have hit 32 runs in the last two overs, and from 43/3 after 8, they are now at 75/3 after 10. This is some recovery by the Kiwis. Bumrah comes to bowl his second in the 11th over after Kuldeep went for 19 in the ninth.
India have done well to keep the lid on the New Zealand batters in the powerplay. They have been striking well too. Kuldeep and Bishnoi have come to bowl their overs as Indian turn to spin. It would be key Bishnoi performs with Varun resting today. New Zealand 43/3 after 8.
Bumrah comes and gets a wicket straightaway. He removes Tim Seifert on the first ball that he delivers. That one is a 137 kph ball that angles into the right-hander and beats him to bamboozle him.
Another underwhelming outing for Rachin Ravindra. He hit a four on the first ball of the previous over, but has departed in this one as Hardik strikes. He pulled this to deep square leg as Bishnoi takes a fine catch.
This has been a norm in this tour, barring one game. Harshit removes Conway yet again. Conway looked to go down the ground but mistimes this to mid-off, where Hardik takes a brilliant catch. Fifth time now that Harshit has got Conway out.
We are done with the formalities, and it is now time for the real action. New Zealand openers Tim Seifert and Devon Conway are out in the middle. Harshit Rana has the new ball in his hand and not Hardik Pandya. Off we go!
New Zealand (Playing XI): Devon Conway, Tim Seifert(w), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner(c), Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy
India (Playing XI): Sanju Samson(w), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Harshit Rana, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah
"I thought we batted quite well. Take learnings from the last game and put it into this game. Move on pretty quickly. Neesh was going to play, we've brought in Jamieson for Foulkes," Santner said at the toss.
"We'll look to bowl first. Wicket looks good, there'll be dew later on. Be fearless, take your own call, enjoy and be humble at the same time. Two changes. Arshdeep and Varun resting tonight, Bumrah and Bishnoi come in, " SKY said at the toss.
Suryakumar Yadav has won the toss and he has decided that India will be bowling first. Surya confirms India have two changes as Arshdeep and Varun have been rested. Bishnoi and Bumrah are back. Bishnoi is playing his first match of the series.
Ahead of the third T20I, here is some news for you. Former India captain Rohit Sharma and the current skipper Harmanpreet Kaur will be conferred with Padma Awards.
Squads:
India Squad: Sanju Samson(w), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Shreyas Iyer, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel
New Zealand Squad: Devon Conway, Tim Seifert(w), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner(c), Zakary Foulkes, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy, James Neesham, Kyle Jamieson, Michael Bracewell, Kristian Clarke, Tim Robinson, Bevon Jacobs
Hello and welcome to the live coverage of the IND vs NZ 3rd T20I at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati. The red-hot Indian team is looking to seal the series with a 2-0 lead going into the third clash. They have done so well in both the first two matches, with the batting order especially starring in both games. The Suryakumar Yadav-led team will now look to seal the series in Guwahati, while the Kiwis will aim to stay alive. This should be a cracker of a game. So stay tuned as I, Varun Malik, take you across this match.
