Abhishek Sharma produced a breathtaking 113 off just 38 balls to power India to a six-wicket victory over New Zealand in the third T20I at Wellington’s Hnry Stadium on Tuesday.
The win gave India an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series. Chasing 199, India reached the target in just 13.2 overs. Abhishek smashed his fourth T20I century and 11th overall in T20 cricket, surpassing Virat Kohli’s 10 centuries among Indian players. Only Chris Gayle (22) and Babar Azam (13) have scored more T20 centuries.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi provided explosive support with 45 off 19 balls as India stormed to 118 without loss in the powerplay, setting a new record for the highest powerplay total in men’s T20 internationals.
India also reached 50 in just 2.2 overs. Daryl Mitchell had earlier scored an unbeaten 89 off 52 balls to help New Zealand post 198/3. Bevon Jacobs contributed 39 off 23 deliveries, but India restricted the hosts to 63 runs in the final seven overs. Kyle Jamieson took two wickets, but India completed a dominant chase to seal the series.