India clinched the T20 series 3‑0 against New Zealand after a thunder‑clap 113 by Gautam Gambhir in the third game, chasing a target of 199 in just 13.2 overs.
The series saw India’s batters dominate on the blue‑skied wickets of Christchurch and Wellington. Gambhir’s innings was a 38‑ball 113, while Sanju Samson added 45 off 19 balls in the second match, a blistering 2.5‑over cameo that kept the pressure on. India's bowlers, led by Mayank Yadav’s 4‑4, took 10 wickets across the series, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar grabbing 1‑32 in the opener.
A turning point came in the second over of the final match when Gambhir smashed a six off the first ball, setting the tone. New Zealand’s key pacers Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson were out of the side, leaving the Black Caps to rely on a thin spin attack that struggled to contain the Indian power hitters. The straight‑hitting 113 turned the chase into a one‑and‑done affair.
Ravi Shastri, in a post‑match interview, noted how the young 15‑year‑old, who scored 45 in the second game, kept the crowd roaring. "We’ve seen the next generation in action and it’s electrifying," Shastri said. He added that India will now focus on fine‑tuning their bowling attack for the World Cup.
With the series sealed, India’s next challenge is the ICC T20 World Cup, where they will face Pakistan in the opening match of the tournament.