Abhishek Sharma Smashes 113 off 38 Balls as India Seal T20I Series Against New Zealand
India delivered a commanding performance against New Zealand in the third T20 International at Wellington on October 27, 2026, securing a six-wicket victory to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series. The highlight of the match was Abhishek Sharma's extraordinary century, which transformed a challenging target into a one-sided run chase. India reached the target of 199 in just 13.2 overs, finishing with 40 balls remaining.
Abhishek Sharma produced one of the most explosive innings of his T20 international career, scoring 113 runs from just 38 deliveries. His knock included nine fours and 11 sixes, reflecting his aggressive approach against the New Zealand bowling attack. The Indian opener maintained an extraordinary strike rate of approximately 297, putting the hosts under pressure from the beginning of the chase.
The left-handed batter reached his half-century in just 15 balls before completing his century in 35 deliveries. His rapid scoring left New Zealand struggling to find an effective response as India accelerated towards victory. Abhishek eventually departed after scoring 113, but by then, he had already put his team in a commanding position.
Abhishek also shared a remarkable opening partnership with 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who contributed 45 runs from 19 balls. The pair added 133 runs for the first wicket, providing India with a spectacular start. Their aggressive approach helped India score 118 without losing a wicket during the powerplay, setting a new record for the highest powerplay total in men's T20 international cricket.
Earlier, New Zealand posted 198/3 in their allotted 20 overs after being asked to bat first. Daryl Mitchell led the innings with an unbeaten 89 off 52 deliveries, while Finn Allen contributed 40 runs from 25 balls. Bevon Jacobs also provided valuable support with an unbeaten 39, helping the hosts establish a competitive total.
However, New Zealand's bowlers struggled to contain India's aggressive batting. Kyle Jamieson claimed two wickets, but the damage had already been done as the visitors maintained a scoring rate well above the required rate. Following the dismissals of Abhishek and Sooryavanshi, India lost a few more wickets but remained firmly in control of the chase.
Abhishek's performance earned him the Player of the Match award, while India's victory confirmed their series triumph with two matches still remaining. The result also strengthened India's record of success in T20 internationals against New Zealand, with the visitors completing another series victory on New Zealand soil.
The third T20I will be remembered for Abhishek Sharma's remarkable power-hitting and India's fearless approach to chasing a substantial target. With 113 runs coming from only 38 balls, the opener demonstrated how quickly momentum can shift in modern T20 cricket. India's emphatic victory has set the stage for the remaining matches, while Abhishek's innings will remain a major talking point among cricket fans.