CricBengal Sports Desk
Abhishek Sharma produced a sensational batting display as India defeated New Zealand by six wickets in the third T20 International in Wellington on Tuesday, October 27. Chasing a target of 199, India reached 199/4 in just 13.2 overs to take an unassailable 3–0 lead in the five-match series.
Abhishek smashed 113 off only 38 deliveries, including nine fours and 11 sixes. He reached his half-century in 15 balls before completing his hundred in just 35 deliveries.
The innings also took Abhishek past Virat Kohli for the most centuries by an Indian batter across all forms of T20 cricket. Abhishek now has 11 T20 hundreds, compared with Kohli’s 10.
Teenage opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi provided explosive support at the other end, scoring 45 off 19 balls. The pair added 133 runs for the opening wicket in just 7.1 overs. India also recorded 118 without loss in the six-over powerplay, setting a new record in men’s T20 internationals.
Earlier, New Zealand posted 198/3 in their 20 overs. Daryl Mitchell led the innings with an unbeaten 89 from 52 balls, while Finn Allen contributed 40 off 25 deliveries.
However, New Zealand’s total proved insufficient against India’s aggressive batting. The visitors completed the chase with 40 balls remaining, securing the series with two matches still to play.
The teams are scheduled to meet again in the fourth T20I in Auckland on Friday.
Abhishek’s remarkable century was the defining moment of the match, adding another milestone to his rapidly growing reputation as one of India’s most explosive T20 batters.
