Abhishek Sharma's 38-ball blitz powers India to record chase, 3-0 series lead

New Delhi: Abhishek Sharma produced a breathtaking display of power-hitting as India defeated New Zealand by six wickets in the third T20 International in Wellington on October 27, sealing the five-match series 3-0 with two matches still to play.

Chasing 199, India stormed to 199 for four in just 13.2 overs, winning with 40 balls remaining. The victory placed India second on the list of most balls remaining in a successful chase of 190 or more in men’s T20 internationals. Only Estonia’s chase against Cyprus in 2024, completed with 42 balls to spare, ranks higher.

India also surpassed their own previous record among full-member nations, set against New Zealand in Raipur earlier this year, when they chased down 209 with 28 balls remaining.

Abhishek’s 38-ball 113, featuring nine fours and 11 sixes, was the cornerstone of the record-breaking chase. He reached his century in just 35 deliveries, while 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi contributed a blistering 45 off 19 balls. The opening pair added 133 runs before Sooryavanshi was dismissed, having propelled India to a record 118 without loss in the six-over powerplay for a full-member team in T20Is.

Abhishek’s 11 sixes equalled his second-highest tally in a T20I innings for India. His previous best was 13 sixes against England in Mumbai in 2025, while he had also struck 11 against Afghanistan in Delhi earlier in 2026. Rohit Sharma, Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma and Ishan Kishan have each hit 10 sixes in an Indian T20I innings.

The knock also took Abhishek’s tally of innings featuring at least 10 sixes in men’s T20 internationals to three, behind Austria’s Karanbir Singh, who has achieved the feat five times. Across men’s T20 cricket, Abhishek has now done so seven times, second only to Chris Gayle’s 18.

Earlier, New Zealand posted 198 for three in their 20 overs, with Daryl Mitchell remaining unbeaten on 89 off 52 balls and Finn Allen scoring 40 off 25. India’s explosive response, however, left the hosts with little opportunity to defend the total.

Abhishek was named Player of the Match as India secured an unassailable series lead, underlining their dominance with two matches remaining.

Tags : Abhishek Sharma, Cricket, India, New Zealand, T20 International