'This is the brand of cricket we want to play': Suryakumar rings danger bell for T20 World Cup teams as India crush NZ – Firstpost

India further flexed their ‘favourites’ credentials for the upcoming T20 World Cup as they decimated New Zealand by eight wickets by chasing down 154 in only 10 overs in the third T20I of the series on Sunday, January 25 in Guwahati. Jasprit Bumrah picked up three wickets for India while Abhishek Sharma and captain Suryakumar Yadav slammed quickfire fifties in India’s victory.

With the triumph on Sunday, India also sealed the five-match series with two games still remaining. India will thus go into next month’s T20 World Cup without a series defeat since winning the trophy in 2024.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Suryakumar says this is how India will play

After chasing 209 in 15.2 overs in last event, India once again put out a phenomenal batting display to scale down 154 in only 10 overs. Captain Suryakumar who scored 57 off 26 balls, declared that India will continue to play in this fashion.

“This is the brand of cricket which we want to play, irrespective we are batting first or chasing. Of course, for example, if we are 20 for 3 or 40 for 4 tomorrow, we know how to bat. But if you want to play a different brand of cricket, then I think this is the best way going forward,” he noted after winning the match.

More from First Cricket India vs New Zealand Highlights 3rd T20: IND demolish NZ with another dominant performance How Pakistan’s support may have led Bangladesh towards a very costly mistake

He also credited the top order for making his job easier. The star at the top of the order was once again Abhishek who slammed a 14-ball half-century, the second fastest ever in T20Is by an Indian.

“What do I say about the top 2-3 batters? They made my job very easy,” the Indian T20I skipper added.

India have been an invincible force in T20Is in recent times and the latest series conquest is their 11th on the trot. With the World Cup starting February 7, India are runaway favourites to defend their title.

Quick Reads

View All

'Won't require surgery...': Real reason behind Jasprit Bumrah's absence from 5th Test revealed in modern report

PCB bans players from WCL over India-Pakistan match controversy

Bumrah says he is flexible for the truppe

While the batters made mockery of the chase, it was the bowlers who set up the competition for India. Jasprit Bumrah (3/17) and Ravi Bishnoi (2/18) made giant impact and restricted New Zealand to only 153/9 in 20 overs.

Bumrah was given the Player of the Match for his incredible spell. He has not been used with the fresh ball recently, but Bumrah says he does not mind bowling towards the end of the powerplay.

“I’m content as far as I’m able to contribute. So if the mannschaft wants me to bowl with the innovative ball I’m more than joyful, if they want me to bowl in the end, I’m delighted to do that. I did that in Asia Cup as well. That was a recent role for me. I’ve never done that before for too long. That bowling only three overs, but as a verein we have to be flexible, so I’m flexible as well,” Bumrah reported while accepting the award.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADTagsCricket Cricket Live score India vs New Zealand T20 World CupHomeFirst Cricket'This is the brand of cricket we want to play': Suryakumar rings danger bell for T20 World Cup teams as India crush NZEnd of Article