Wellington | October 27, 2026 : In a breathtaking display of explosive batting, Abhishek Sharma unleashed a stunning assault on New Zealand, smashing 113 runs off just 38 balls to power India to a commanding six-wicket victory in the third T20 International and clinch the series, according to the supplied match report.
Chasing a challenging target of 199, India turned the contest into a one-sided spectacle, reaching 202/4 in just 13.2 overs. Abhishek’s sensational innings, featuring a century in only 35 balls, left the New Zealand bowlers struggling to contain the onslaught.
The victory also extended India’s remarkable record of T20I series wins on New Zealand soil, following their 5–0 triumph in 2020 and 1–0 win in 2022.
💥 Abhishek Sharma: A Batting Storm!
Abhishek was in a league of his own, combining extraordinary power with fearless stroke play. His innings included 11 sixes and nine boundaries, as he raced to a 15-ball half-century before completing a spectacular 35-ball hundred.
His trademark meditation-pose celebration added a memorable finishing touch to an innings that overwhelmed the opposition and electrified the crowd.
The left-hander’s assault was so relentless that even his opening partner, teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, was overshadowed despite producing a blistering knock of his own.
⚡ Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Adds Fuel to the Fire
The 15-year-old Sooryavanshi smashed 45 off just 18 deliveries, striking four sixes and providing the perfect partner for Abhishek’s fireworks.
Together, the pair put on an astonishing 133 runs in just seven overs, turning the chase into a breathtaking exhibition of power-hitting.
India reportedly reached 100 runs in only five overs, setting a new team record according to the match report, while their power play total of 118 was described as the highest ever.
The carnage began immediately. Jacob Duffy’s opening over cost New Zealand 26 runs, setting the tone for an extraordinary Indian chase.
🇳🇿 Daryl Mitchell’s Heroics Go in Vain
Earlier, New Zealand posted a formidable 198/3 in 20 overs, thanks largely to Daryl Mitchell’s magnificent 89 off 52 balls.
Mitchell struck five sixes and five boundaries, rediscovering his touch with a commanding innings. Finn Allen contributed 40 off 25 deliveries, while Bevon Jacobs remained unbeaten on 39 off 23 balls.
Allen and Mitchell shared an 86-run partnership for the second wicket, while Mitchell and Jacobs added another 75 for the fourth wicket.
However, India’s bowlers managed to restrict the scoring during the closing overs and gave their batters a target they ultimately chased down with remarkable ease.
🎯 India’s Bowlers Set the Stage
Arshdeep Singh provided an early breakthrough, finishing with figures of 1/33 from four overs. Nitish Kumar Reddy dismissed Allen for 1/38, while Axar Patel claimed the wicket of Glenn Phillips and returned figures of 1/36.
Naman Dhir also produced an impressive low catch to remove Allen, helping India break a dangerous partnership.
Although New Zealand’s batters had managed to build a competitive total, their bowling attack had no answer to India’s extraordinary opening assault.
🏆 A Statement Victory for Team India
The third T20I will be remembered for Abhishek Sharma’s astonishing century, Sooryavanshi’s fearless contribution and a record-breaking opening partnership that dismantled New Zealand’s bowling plans.
A target of 199 would normally demand a careful, calculated chase. India instead delivered a stunning demonstration of modern T20 cricket—aggressive, audacious and relentlessly entertaining.
Abhishek Sharma stole the spotlight, Sooryavanshi supplied the fireworks, and India celebrated a series-clinching victory in spectacular fashion!
