The third T20I of the India vs New Zealand 2026 series is now over. India completely dominated New Zealand to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match T20I series.

Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and chose to bowl first at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati. The Indian bowlers delivered a strong performance and restricted the Blackcaps to 153/9 in 20 overs.

While chasing 154, India lost Sanju Samson on the very first ball. However, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and Suryakumar Yadav launched a brutal attack on the New Zealand bowlers. The trio guided India to 155/2 in just 10 overs.

The fans at the ACA Stadium witnessed one of the most thrilling run chases in T20I history. Here is a look at the top five records and milestones from the match.

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1. Abhishek Sharma breaks Hardik Pandya’s record

A few weeks ago, Hardik Pandya hit a 16-ball half-century against South Africa. It became the fastest T20I fifty by an Indian on home soil. Abhishek Sharma broke this record by scoring a half-century in just 14 balls against New Zealand in Guwahati. The overall record for the fastest T20I fifty by an Indian still belongs to Yuvraj Singh. He scored a 12-ball fifty against England in Durban in 2007.

2. Abhishek Sharma breaks his own record

Last year, Abhishek Sharma set a record for the fastest T20I fifty by an Indian opener. He reached 50 in 17 balls against England at the Wankhede Stadium.

This year, he broke his own record by reaching the milestone in only 14 balls. It will be very hard for any Indian opener to break this record soon.

3. Suryakumar Yadav overtakes Virat Kohli on the elite list

Suryakumar Yadav became India’s full-time T20I captain after the 2024 T20 World Cup. He has done a great job as captain, winning 33 matches in just 39 games.

With the win against New Zealand in Guwahati, Suryakumar overtook Virat Kohli, who had 32 wins. Now, he is only behind MS Dhoni (42 wins) and Rohit Sharma (50 wins) on the all-time list.

4. Fastest 150+ chase against a Test-playing nation in T20Is

India chased the 154-run target in just 10 overs at the ACA Stadium. This is now the fastest chase of a 150+ target against a Test-playing nation in T20I cricket.

The overall fastest 150+ chase, including non-Test-playing teams, is held by Australia. They chased 154 runs in 9.4 overs against Scotland in a bilateral series.

5. Abhishek Sharma breaks Rohit Sharma’s record

This was the third time Abhishek Sharma scored a T20I half-century in the powerplay overs. He now holds the record for the most T20I fifties for India in the first six overs.

Earlier, Abhishek shared this record with Rohit Sharma, who had two powerplay fifties. After this match, Abhishek is the sole holder of the record.

Team India captain Suryakumar Yadav was out for 32 runs off 22 balls at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur during the first T20I of the five-match series. His innings came in India’s 48-run win.

India batted first and scored 238 for 7 in 20 overs. Later, they restricted the opposition to 190 for 7.

Even though India won comfortably, Suryakumar’s wait for a 50-plus score continued. The last time he scored a half-century in T20Is was in October 2024 against Bangladesh. In 2025, he played 19 innings and scored 218 runs. His average was 13.62, and his strike rate was 123.16. His highest score was 47 not out.

Although Suryakumar did not score big in the first T20I against New Zealand in Nagpur, his batting form should not be a concern for Team India ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup.

Here are three reasons why Suryakumar Yadav’s poor form is not a concern amid IND vs NZ 2026 T20Is.

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Team India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir remained silent amid strong media attention over Shubman Gill’s surprise exclusion from the T20 World Cup squad.

Gambhir arrived at Delhi airport shortly after the 15-member squad was announced. Reporters surrounded him and asked for his reaction to the decision. However, the former opening batter refused to answer any questions. He walked straight to his car and left without saying a word.

His silence drew attention, as chief selector Ajit Agarkar had taken a bold call by leaving out the 26-year-old vice-captain and Test and ODI captain from the squad.

Also Read -Watch: “My 14 soldiers…”- Suryakumar Yadav reacts to struggling form ahead of T20 World Cup 2026

Gill Struggles Despite Asia Cup Return

Gill returned to T20Is during the Asia Cup, replacing Sanju Samson at the top of the order. However, he struggled for form, scoring 291 runs in 15 innings at a strike rate of 137.26 without a single fifty. His highest score was 47 against Pakistan.

Injuries made things worse. A toe injury ruled him out of the final T20I against South Africa. This gave Samson a chance, and he scored a quick 37 off 22 balls. With both Gill and Jitesh Sharma left out, Samson was confirmed as an opener alongside Abhishek Sharma. Axar Patel was named the new T20I vice-captain under Suryakumar Yadav.

Read More -'Anukul Roy deserves India call-up'— strong claim after T20 World Cup squad announcement

Suryakumar Retains Spot Despite Poor Form

While Gill struggled, India captain Suryakumar Yadav’s form has been even worse. He scored just 218 runs in 19 innings this year at a strike rate of 123.2, marking his toughest phase since debuting internationally.

Despite poor form, Suryakumar kept his place. According to a PTI report, leadership played a key role in the decision. Captaincy gave Suryakumar more time, while Gill missed out because his game was seen as less impactful than Abhishek Sharma’s.

The report also warned that under head coach Gautam Gambhir, performance is crucial. “Anyone who knows Gambhir knows that winning is the only priority. Today it is Gill, tomorrow it could be Suryakumar,” it added.

The 2nd T20I between India and South Africa is scheduled to take place on Thursday at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Cricket Stadium, Chandigarh. In the shortest format of cricket against the Proteas, Team India has maintained their winning momentum. Their bowling unit is the main reason for their win, as they dominated the game from the start. India's top order lost early, but their middle order remained resilient and scored most of the runs.

South Africa started the game with a strong start by removing the top order at an early stage of the game. However, as the game proceeded, their bowlers lost control of the match. Their batting unit performed poorly, and the entire team collapsed under India's bowling attack..

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IND vs SA Match Details

• Match: India vs South Africa, 2nd T20I 

• Date: 11th December 2025

• Time: 7.00 PM IST

• Venue: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Cricket Stadium, Chandigarh 

• Live Streaming: FanCode

IND vs SA Weather Report

IND vs SA Pitch Report

The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium has experienced high first-innings totals of 165 to 180 in recent T20 games.

Top Batters to Watch – IND vs SA

• Hardik Pandya (IND): 59 runs in this Series 

• Tilak Varma (IND): 26 runs in this Series 

• Dewald Brevis (SA): 22 runs in this Series 

Top Bowlers to Watch – IND vs SA

• Lungi Ngidi (SA): 3 wickets in this Series 

• Arshdeep Singh (IND): 2 wickets in this Series 

• Jasprit Bumrah (IND): 2 wickets in this Series 

IND vs SA Recent Form

IND vs SA Today Match Prediction Scenarios

Scenario 1: If IND Bat First

• Powerplay Score: 50–60

• Predicted Total: 180–190

• Match Result: IND to win

Scenario 2: If SA Bat First

• Powerplay Score: 45–55

• Predicted Total: 150–160

• Match Result: IND to win

Who Will Hit the Most Sixes?

Who Will Hit the Most Fours?

IND vs SA Predicted Playing XIs

India

Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma(w), Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh.

South Africa 

Quinton de Kock(w), Aiden Markram(c), Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Lutho Sipamla, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje.

IND vs SA Today Match Prediction – Who Will Win Today?

We predict that India will win the 2nd T20I match. The likes of Abhishek Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Suryakumar Yadav will be key players to watch out for.

IND vs SA Match FAQs

Australia (AUS) and India (IND) will meet in the fourth T20I at Carrara Oval, in Queensland, on Thursday, November 6. This match is highly significant, with the series currently tied at 1-1 and the victor guaranteeing they cannot lose the five-match series. The opening match in Canberra was rained out. In the second match in Melbourne, Australia took command and cruised to victory, chasing only 126 runs, scoring in just 13.2 overs. They were inspired by Josh Hazlewood's exciting opening spell with the new ball.

See Also: [WATCH] "More than just a game..."- PM Narendra Modi congratulates India's women's World Cup 2025 winning team

India, however, came back strongly in the third T20I in Hobart and the series is now tied at one win apiece. Chasing 187 runs, the India team scored the target in only 18.3 overs and five wickets remaining. Washington Sundar actually stole the headlines with his explosive batting display, and Arshdeep Singh's three wickets on his return to the side. Both teams will be looking to take the momentum advantage and continue to parlay the importance of winning between the two sides. 

AUS vs IND, 4th T20I: Live Streaming Details

AUS vs IND, 4th T20I: Probable Playing XI

Australia:

Mitchell Marsh (C), Matthew Short, Josh Inglis (WK), Tim David, Mitchell Owen, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Xavier Bartlett, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Matthew Kuhnemann.

India:

Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Tilak Varma, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Shivam Dube/Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah.

Laila Faisal, who is rumoured to be dating cricketer Abhishek Sharma, was recently seen at his sister Komal Sharma’s pre-wedding celebrations. She shared a few pictures from the event on Instagram, which once again got fans talking about her relationship with the young Indian batter.

Laila is a fashion entrepreneur from Delhi and the founder of Roohi Faisal Designs. She studied psychology at King’s College, London, and after returning to India, she did some modelling for various brands. She now has over 65,000 followers on Instagram. Abhishek, who skipped his sister’s wedding on October 3 to play for India A against Australia A, hasn’t confirmed anything about their relationship yet, but fans are eager for news.

Who is Laila Faisal? 👉 https://t.co/vU2dtTj8aj

The rumored girlfriend of cricketer Abhishek Sharma is making headlines!
From fashion entrepreneur to cricket controversies, here’s what you need to know #LailaFaisal #AbhishekSharma #AsiaCup pic.twitter.com/C1PybAMex6

— Entertales (@Entertales) September 26, 2025

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On the field, Abhishek has been in great form. In the recent Asia Cup, he scored 314 runs in seven innings at an average of 44.86 with a strike rate of 200, becoming the top scorer in a single T20 Asia Cup edition. His strong batting helped India win the Asia Cup for the ninth time and second in T20s.

India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, stayed unbeaten in the tournament and beat Pakistan by five wickets in the final in Dubai. Looking ahead, Abhishek is likely to be part of India’s ODI squad for the upcoming tour of Australia, where the team will play three ODIs in Perth, Adelaide, and Sydney.

In the Asia Cup 2025, India once again achieved a victory over Pakistan, defeating their rivals in the Super Four match on Sunday in Dubai by six wickets. This victory marked India's second win over Pakistan in eight days and reflected the difference in the two teams in the past few years.

Abhishek, Gill at the Opener

The highlight of India's run chase was opener Abhishek Sharma, who scored a 39-ball 74, which featured six fours and five sixes. Abhishek and his opening partner Shubman Gill (47 off 28) had a 105-run opening stand, India's first century partnership of this Asia Cup, which facilitated India's run chase of 172.

Pakistan showed some fight with wickets taken in the middle overs, but the opening stand they set was enough to see India home victorious. It was left to Tilak Varma (30* off 19) and Hardik Pandya (7* off 7) to finish the game off – India won by six wickets, with seven balls spare.

Suryakumar’s Unfiltered View on Rivalry

However, the post-match headlines were not only about India's victory, but also about captain Suryakumar Yadav's frank statements. When asked about the India–Pakistan rivalry, he dismissed it entirely.

“You guys should stop asking about this rivalry. If two teams play 15–20 matches and it’s 7–7 or 8–7, then you call it a rivalry. But if it’s 10–1 or 13–0, I don’t know the exact stat, this is not a rivalry anymore. I feel we played better cricket than them, both with the bat and the ball,” Yadav said.

The captain's comments came in light of Pakistan's one-sided record against India in recent years. In T20Is, for example, India's record is now 12-3. In fact, India has won seven completed matches in a row against Pakistan in all formats, including a 228-run drubbing in the 2023 Asia Cup and a nail-biting victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup.

ALSO SEE: 'That's why went after them...'- Abhishek Sharma explains why he chose to be aggressive during IND vs PAK Asia Cup 2025 Super Four match

Fielding, Bowling, and Key Moments 

India did exhibit some fielding fumbles, having dropped multiple catches early in Pakistan's innings. Suryakumar added some humor: “I think the fielding coach has already emailed players whose hands had some butter on them. But it’s good this happened early on because we have more crucial games ahead. Floodlights can’t be an excuse.”

Pakistan's 171/5 had a foundation of 58 from Sahibzada Farhan, but India's bowlers had a grip on the game through the middle overs. Shivam Dube (2/33) was the highlight of the Indian bowling effort with a full four-over spell that accounted for both Farhan and Saim Ayub - a spell that Suryakumar commented was "the turning point of the match." Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav were economical, while Jasprit Bumrah had an outlier with an expense spell.

Praise for the Openers

Abhishek Sharma's opening performance earned some special words from his captain: "He is a very selfless player. He assesses situations beautifully, and he is improving every day. The dynamic between he and Shubman is beautiful - they are ice and fire."

India in Charge

The win solidified India's standing during the Super Four phase and confirmed their favorites' status in the tournament. More importantly, it illustrated the balance within the squad - they had power-hitting at the top, stability in the middle, and breakthroughs with the ball.

For Pakistan, the defeat was yet another reminder of the increasing lopsidedness of a fixture once regarded as world cricket's greatest rivalry. And if the words of Suryakumar Yadav are anything to go by, that rivalry may now belong more to the past than to the present.

On the eve of India’s opening Super 4 fixture against Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, their T20I captain, Suryakumar Yadav, looked in a light mood as he attended the press conference with a smile on his face. The battle will not remain inside the ground for this clash after the PCB’s long-drawn drama around the handshake controversy from last week.

A video has gone viral on many social media platforms, showing the Indian team being seen outside the ICC academy, possibly returning to the hotel after finishing their practice session. That was the time when one of the kids from the stand requested Surya to come and give him an autograph.

See Also: 'Switch off your phone...'- Suryakumar Yadav reveals plan to avoid outside noise ahead of IND vs PAK Super 4 clash

Surya didn’t turn up early but later appeared when the left-arm pacer of the side, Arshdeep Singh, called him. He wished the kid all the best before giving a special message of ‘'Jai Hindi Jai Maharashtra' ahead of their upcoming game against Pakistan in Dubai on September 24 for the Super 4 stage.

Watch: Suryakumar Yadav shares special message ahead of IND vs PAK Asia Cup 2025

The Indian captain has been in fine form during this Asia Cup as he played a sensational knock against Pakistan in the last encounter and expects to continue the same trend in Super 4. However, he is well aware of the outside noise and tries to avoid it in every case.

 

 

 

 

 

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“See, it's easy to say, but sometimes it is difficult because you meet a lot of friends, you go out for dinner, and you have a lot of players also around who like to see all these things. So it's very difficult, but then it's on you, what you want to listen to, what you want to have in your mind.” Suryakumar Yadav expressed in the presser.

Pakistan didn’t attend the pre-match press conference on the eve of the clash for the second successive time after they did the same against the UAE team last week. It just shows the unprofessionalism from a national side.

Captain of Oman, Jatinder Singh, expressed his thanks after India’s star batter, Suryakumar Yadav, connected with the Oman team to provide encouragement and insight. Describing the interaction, Jatinder stated how much it meant to the players, who admired what Suryakumar has achieved but also valued the practical knowledge he could provide about modern T20 cricket. According to him, Suryakumar emphasized not just the technical aspects but also the mindset required to be successful in the shortest format of the game. The young Omani cricketers were engaged and asked questions. They left the interaction with a much clearer understanding of how professionals benefit from facing challenges and learning from them at the international cricket level.

Jatinder noted Suryakumar made it easygoing, but there were lots of good ideas in the conversation. He spoke about reading the game, reading the situation, and maintaining calm under pressure. He also reminded the players that T20 cricket encourages players to use their creative thinking and is not just about taking your power-hitting to the extreme. The Omani squad, made up of both fledgling and seasoned cricketers, found the viewpoint refreshing and encouraging. For a developing cricket country like Oman, this exposure to a global star is inspirational as well as very practical. Jatinder mentioned that many players took to the same message and felt much more confident walking away, with excitement to try and put it into practice in the next matches.

The meeting also highlighted Suryakumar Yadav's humbleness and inclination to share experience beyond his national team. He is said to have commended Oman’s fighting spirit, as well as their recent efforts on the international stage. According to Jatinder, the gestures of encouragement lifted his team’s spirits by reinforcing that their hard work was recognized by world-class cricketers, adding that it was a unique opportunity to learn that could have a lasting influence on Oman’s cricketing society. For the captain, it was infinitely more than a question-and-answer session but rather a reminder of the global brotherhood in cricket to help emerging teams strive to rise to new heights.

Oman Captain Jatinder Singh said - "I am so thankful that Suryakumar Yadav came and had a chat with the boys. He was just talking about the game, the faces, and how you have to play the T20s. Thd boys were just asking questions, having their Q & A with him, so that they have… pic.twitter.com/58B7K9Zl84

— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) September 20, 2025

Also read: ‘Let the Asia Cup go to hell….’- PCB insider reveals discussions during Pakistan’s Asia Cup pullout threat

Inspiration Beyond the Game

Apart from the aesthetic tips, Suryakumar’s positive energy and genuine demeanor also left a lasting impact. The players admired not only his batting performance but also the discipline, fitness, and mental discipline that are required to stay as consistent as possible at the highest level. Jatinder mentions several budding players in the team, saying they felt compelled to work harder in preparation to improve, both on and off the field. They were invigorated by hearing Suryakumar’s journey of overcoming challenges prior to becoming one of India’s most patriotic T20 cricket performers.

Jatinder Singh determined that such experiences foster confidence for the future and inspire Oman’s cricketers to dare to dream bigger and want to achieve bigger on the world stage. Furthermore, he added that engaging with international stars provides a sense of belonging, which makes Oman feel part of the greater cricketing family. The captain hopes with bolstered belief and guidance, his team can keep developing and eventually leave a stronger mark on the world stage of cricket.

India’s group stage encounter against Oman in the 2025 Asia Cup was expected to focus on rotation and giving opportunities, as Suryakumar Yadav’s side had already secured a spot in the Super 4 stage. Yet, the team management and the skipper surprised everyone with a bold move: Suryakumar decided to bat at No.11, letting others gain valuable time at the crease.

Following this strategy, Sanju Samson, who hadn’t faced a single delivery in the tournament so far, came in at No.3, while all-rounder Hardik Pandya was promoted to No.4. The surprises continued as Suryakumar skipped his usual middle-order position, allowing Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, and Tilak Varma to bat ahead of him, giving them critical match practice.

Even as India lost their recognised batters, Suryakumar remained at the end, letting the tailenders face the pressure. He was the only player who did not bat, as India concluded their innings at 188-8, highlighting the skipper’s selfless approach to nurturing the team.

See Also: ‘Let the Asia Cup go to hell….’- PCB insider reveals discussions during Pakistan’s Asia Cup pullout threat

Expert Opinions on Suryakumar Yadav’s Decision to Bat at No.11 Against Oman:

With that in mind, here are the top five expert opinions on Suryakumar Yadav’s decision to bat at No.11 during India’s Asia Cup 2025 clash against Oman. Analysts praised the skipper’s selfless approach, highlighting how the move provided valuable game time for other players while showcasing his team-first mindset.

• Sunil Gavaskar

The iconic Indian batter Sunil Gavaskar praised Suryakumar Yadav for his “innovative” approach, especially his decision to let lower-order batters play ahead of him in the death overs. The expert noted that giving these players crucial match exposure could benefit the team in upcoming games and strengthen India’s depth in high-pressure situations.

He said, “ If he had batted for even one over, he could have hit a few fours and sixes and that would have been good for him. But the way he batted against Pakistan, may be does not need batting practice. He may have thought that Kuldeep Yadav's batting could come in handy if India lose quick wickets in one of the matches. Perhaps that's why he may have sent Kuldeep in to bat.”

He further said, “ He is very unorthodox thinker. We saw in Sri Lanka that he himself bowled and also gave Rinku Singh the ball. He turned the game, which seemed to have slipped away, on its head and won India the match. He is an innovative thinker. May be that's why he did not bat and sent in Kuldeep and Arshdeep Singh.”

• Rohan Gavaskar

A former Indian cricketer criticised Suryakumar Yadav’s move, calling it unnecessary. He suggested that a bench player could have used the opportunity instead, and argued that the skipper, along with Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakaravarthy, could have rested, rather than holding back while others batted, making the decision less impactful.

He said, “ What doesn’t register with me is, if Suryakumar Yadav isn’t going to bat clearly because he’s sent Arshdeep, Harshit, and Kuldeep all ahead of him, then he might as well take a rest. Give Rinku a go. You’re not going to bat, you’re not going to contribute with the ball.”

He further said, “ If that’s the whole thought process, then let Rinku have a game because it’s clear that you don’t want to bat. If you’re coming behind Arshdeep, Harshit, and Kuldeep, then take a rest, take a break, and that’s absolutely fine.”

• Wasim Jaffer

The ex-India batter suggested that if Suryakumar Yadav planned not to bat, a bench player should have been given the chance instead, similar to Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana. This approach would have allowed the team to gain valuable game time while keeping the skipper rested, ensuring everyone had an opportunity to contribute.

He said, “ We also thought that if Surya wasn’t going to bat then he should have given an opportunity to either Jitesh or maybe Rinku Singh. But yeah, I mean, when these kinds of games come, the intensity drops and that is completely fine as long as you get a win. I mean if you lose a game like this, then obviously, it’s a shocking thing but they got the win, they’ll be happy. More than happy with that.”

•  Irfan Pathan

The former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan appreciated Suryakumar Yadav’s strategy of promoting Sanju Samson and Hardik Pandya, who needed more time at the crease. However, he questioned the skipper’s decision to bat last, wondering why Yadav stepped in only after all other recognised batters had been dismissed, as it seemed unnecessary in that situation.

He asked, “ From one perspective, giving other batters opportunity and game time is absolutely right, but to not bat even after Kuldeep Yadav?”

• K Srikkanth

The former World Cup champion pointed out that India managed to score a strong total even without Suryakumar Yadav contributing with the bat. Despite a mid-innings collapse after building a solid foundation, timely contributions from other players helped the team post a competitive score, underlining their depth and resilience in the batting lineup.

He said, “ Suryakumar Yadav didn't even bat, Tilak Varma came down the order and with seemingly no one scoring much, we made 188 easily. They would have scored 225 or 250 otherwise. India has at least 16 players that can play in the 11. Even someone like Shreyas Iyer isn't able to breakthrough.”