India produced a remarkable batting performance to defeat New Zealand by six wickets in the third T20I at Wellington on October 27. Chasing 199, the visitors made light work of the target as Abhishek Sharma and 15-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi launched a stunning assault on the Kiwi bowling attack.
Abhishek led the charge with a sensational 113 off just 38 deliveries, smashing nine fours and 11 sixes. He completed his century in only 35 balls as India raced to 118 runs in the Powerplay, setting a new record in men’s T20I cricket. The explosive display left fans in awe, with several taking to social media to praise the Indian opener’s incredible hitting.
Abhishek Sharma’s record-breaking century powers India’s chase
Abhishek reached his half-century in just 15 deliveries before continuing his assault to bring up his fourth T20I hundred in 35 balls. His innings came at a strike rate of 297.37 and helped India remain comfortably ahead of the required run rate throughout the chase. The left-hander also took his tally to 11 centuries in T20 cricket, moving past Virat Kohli’s previous record of 10 hundreds by an Indian.
Suryavanshi provided explosive support with 45 off 19 balls, including four boundaries and four sixes, as the pair stitched together a 133-run opening partnership in just 43 deliveries. India eventually reached 199/4 in 13.2 overs, winning by six wickets with 40 balls remaining to take a commanding 3-0 lead in the five-match series.
India register a world-record Powerplay total
The opening pair smashed 118 runs in the first six overs, setting a new record for the highest powerplay score in men’s T20Is. The assault began with a 26-run first over against Jacob Duffy, setting the tone for India’s extraordinary chase. Suryavanshi fell for 45 in the eighth over, but Abhishek continued his onslaught and brought up his century in just 35 deliveries.
New Zealand managed to pick up a few late wickets, with Kyle Jamieson dismissing Sanju Samson and captain Shreyas Iyer, but the damage had already been done. Naman Dhir hit the winning boundary as India completed the chase in only 13.2 overs, leaving New Zealand with little opportunity to recover from the opening onslaught.
Here’s how fans reacted:
India take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series 💥💯#TeamIndia #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/kO9hlUf2xz
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) October 27, 2026
And I can’t make 100 of 30 or 34 balls 😜 Well played sir @OfficialAbhi04 ! Great innings aur apne single bhi le liye 🤷🏻♂️ Good stuff on the other end by #VaibhavSooryavanshi! Devastating combination! Hats off to @IamSanjuSamson, playing at no. 3 as a complete team man! Well-bowled…
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) October 27, 2026
Fun Tweet:
Abhishek Sharma – 113 (38)🔥
Pakistan – 110/10 (25.3 overs)😅Abhishek Sharma won by 3 runs with 115 balls to spare 😂
That sums up the difference in cricketing talent between India and Pakistan 🤪#INDvsNZ
— Ajay Jadeja (@AjayJadeja171) October 27, 2026
Wow…. That’s why I praised my team for what they accomplished in India. India is a dangerous team. #justwow
1. Smaller boundaries
2. Batting paradise pitches
3. Wet ball for bowlers— Daren Sammy (@darensammy88) October 27, 2026
INDIA HAVE WON THE T20I SERIES AGAINST NEW ZEALAND. 🇮🇳
– India Chase down 199 in just 13.2 overs. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/KxpSmacimr
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 27, 2026
– 69 Innings.
– 2240 Runs.
– 33.43 Average.
– 196.83 Strike Rate.
– 4 Hundreds.
– 14 Fifties.
– 213 fours.
– 158 sixes.ABHISHEK SHARMA – ONE OF THE GREATEST EVER IN T20Is 😍 pic.twitter.com/85EC4KmoGC
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 27, 2026
Abhishek Sharma will get many more centuries. So good when he’s hitting in the radar.
This 100 comes off 35 balls. #IndvsNZ— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) October 27, 2026
Gambhir blood Abhishek Sharma 🔥 pic.twitter.com/XyRD2x9pGd
— ….#jaibabu🔱🏹 (@ThalaBheem321) October 27, 2026
🥶🔥 ABHISHEK SHARMA — THE NAME, THE AURA, THE DESTRUCTION! 💯👑#INDvsNZ pic.twitter.com/9fUEZxlZSx
— CricketIndian_🇮🇳 (@CricketIndian_) October 27, 2026
India too good in Wellington. An Abhishek Sharma century the highlight as they claim the Hero VIDA T20I Series, powered by Ai+ Smartphone.
Focus shifts to Game 4 at Eden Park on Friday night 🏏 https://t.co/OUGO8Hip42 pic.twitter.com/oM67wXBGsp
— Sweet (@Lommy0Tatham) October 27, 2026
Also WATCH: Naman Dhir plucks a jaw-dropping catch to dismiss Finn Allen in NZ vs IND 3rd T20I
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