Indian openers’ batting masterclass powers India to unassailable T20I series lead

A batting storm in Wellington saw India blow away New Zealand ruthlessly as the fate of the series was decided with two games to spare.

Despite New Zealand totting up a good total of 198, Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi went after the bowlers in the most brutal fashion possible, running away with the game at the end of India’s opening partnership itself.

India chased the 199-run target in just 13.2 overs, fuelled primarily by the opening partnership between Sooryavanshi and Sharma.

Winning the toss, India opted to bowl first. Arshdeep Singh struck early to remove Tim Seifert (2). However, New Zealand soon found a steady stand in Finn Allen (40) and Daryll Mitchell (89*). The two dominated the early overs, adding 86 runs for the second wicket from just 43 balls before Nitish Kumar Reddy could get the better of Allen.

An in-form Glenn Phillips (17) did get a start but was dismissed by Axar Patel before he could switch gears. Bevon Jacobs (39*) and Mitchell did their best, propelling New Zealand to 198/3. A middle-over slowdown after the fall of Phillips allowed India to keep things under control on a pitch that was fairly conducive to the batters. Arshdeep, Axar and Reddy claimed a wicket apiece.

The Indian opening duo of Abhishek and Sooryavanshi had only aggression on their mind. Sharma took over the wheel, punishing anything and everything while Sooryavanshi was happy to dispatch anything that was fuller and missed its mark even by an inch. The two smashed 118 runs inside the powerplay, smashing the world record for the highest score in a powerplay.

Sharma brought up his half-century in just 15 balls, smacking Kyle Jamieson over deep mid-wicket. It felt like the two would just run away with the game and possibly seize the bragging rights within 10 overs itself. However, much to India’s woes, Sooryavanshi fell for 45 off just 19 balls, hammering four fours and four sixes along the way.

Sharma and Sooryavanshi added 133 runs for the opening stand from just 43 balls. Despite the fall of the latter, Sharma continued with his blistering form, bringing up his century in just 35 balls. He rocked Jamieson for a boundary through the fine-leg region to bring up his ton. Sharma eventually succumbed for 113 from just 38 balls falling to Jamieson.

With the two openers falling, India ensured that they were getting the job done as Sanju Samson saw the majority of the rest taken care of. India crossed the finish line within just 13.2 overs, despite Samson and skipper Shreyas Iyer losing their wickets.

Sharma was undoubtedly the Player of the Match for his exquisite and unimaginable century while India bagged the series, winning the game by four wickets and taking an unassailable 3-0 lead.