October 27, 2026: Abhishek Sharma produced a breathtaking display of power-hitting, smashing 113 off just 38 balls as India stormed to a six-wicket victory over New Zealand in the third T20I in Wellington on Tuesday, sealing the series in emphatic fashion.
Chasing 199, India needed only 13.2 overs to get the job done, with Abhishek turning what looked like a competitive target into a one-sided contest. His sensational knock featured nine fours and 11 sixes, leaving the New Zealand bowlers with few answers on a night dominated by the Indian left-hander.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi provided the perfect support at the other end, hammering 45 off 19 balls as the opening pair launched a brutal assault on the home attack.
Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi unleashed a batting blitz to register the highest powerplay total in Men’s T20Is
Abhishek wasted little time making his intentions clear. He raced to his half-century in just 15 balls before reaching three figures off 35 deliveries, combining clean striking with remarkable control.
Sooryavanshi was equally fearless during the opening exchanges. The teenager took on the New Zealand attack with four sixes, ensuring the pressure never eased as India tore through the required runs.
Their opening partnership yielded 133 runs in just over seven overs, putting India firmly in command. The visitors also recorded a remarkable 118 runs in the powerplay, setting a new benchmark for the highest powerplay total in T20 cricket, as reported in the match account.
New Zealand’s bowlers struggled to contain the onslaught. Jacob Duffy conceded 26 runs in the opening over, while Michael Bracewell and Kyle Jamieson also came under heavy fire as India’s openers attacked from both ends.
Abhishek eventually fell for 113, but by then the damage had been done. India were firmly on course for victory, and the remaining task proved little more than a formality.
The result extended India’s impressive run in New Zealand, giving them another T20I series triumph on the road.
Mitchell Leads New Zealand’s Fightback
Earlier, Daryl Mitchell had given New Zealand a strong platform with a superb 89 off 52 balls, helping the hosts post 198 for three after being asked to bat first.
Mitchell looked in excellent touch, finding the boundary regularly and keeping the scoreboard moving even as India’s bowlers attempted to rein in the scoring. His innings proved the backbone of New Zealand’s total.
Finn Allen offered an explosive start, smashing 40 off 25 deliveries in an 86-run partnership with Mitchell. Allen attacked the pace bowlers with confidence, clearing the ropes three times before Nitish Kumar Reddy brought the partnership to an end.
Naman Dhir completed a sharp catch to dismiss Allen, giving India a much-needed breakthrough.
Glenn Phillips managed 17 before Axar Patel removed him with a smart return catch. However, New Zealand continued to find runs through Mitchell, who was joined by Bevon Jacobs for a valuable late stand.
Jacobs struck an unbeaten 39 from 23 balls, and the pair added 75 runs to lift New Zealand to a challenging total. Mitchell’s 89 ensured the hosts had something substantial to defend, but India’s extraordinary response left their efforts overshadowed.
Indian Bowlers Keep the Finish in Check
Although India did not take wickets at regular intervals, their bowlers finished the innings with discipline, conceding just 52 runs in the final five overs and preventing New Zealand from pushing well beyond 200.
Arshdeep Singh claimed one wicket for 33 runs, while Nitish Kumar Reddy and Axar Patel also picked up a wicket apiece. Their efforts helped India limit the damage during the closing stages.
But the night ultimately belonged to Abhishek. His stunning century, backed by Sooryavanshi’s fearless hitting, ensured India chased down 199 with extraordinary ease.
New Zealand had put together a competitive total through Mitchell’s commanding innings. India responded with an assault that left little room for doubt, wrapping up the match with 40 balls to spare and turning a potential contest into a memorable batting spectacle.
