India secured an unassailable 3-0 lead in their five-match T20 series against New Zealand following a six-wicket victory in Wellington, driven by an explosive batting display from opener Abhishek Sharma.
Playing at Hnry Stadium, India chased down a formidable target of 198 in just 13.2 overs, finishing on 199-4. The pursuit was anchored by an astonishing opening stand between Abhishek and 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who put on 133 runs in a mere seven overs.
The pair’s aggression dismantled the New Zealand bowling attack during the powerplay, yielding 118 runs to establish a new record for T20 internationals. Sooryavanshi played a dazzling supporting role with 45 runs from 19 balls before departing in the eighth over.
Abhishek reached his half-century off just 15 deliveries before accelerating to a century off 35 balls. He was eventually dismissed for 113 off 38 deliveries, an innings featuring nine fours and 11 sixes. Despite the blistering pace, his knock fell just short of his own record for India’s fastest T20 hundred, which was achieved off 30 balls against Afghanistan the previous month.
Following Abhishek’s dismissal, India’s middle order comfortably navigated the remaining 21 runs required for victory. New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner offered rare resistance with the ball, finishing with economical figures of 1-17 from three overs, but his teammates endured a difficult outing.
Earlier in the match, New Zealand posted 198-3 from their allotted 20 overs. Daryl Mitchell anchored the hosts’ innings with an unbeaten 89 from 52 balls, while Finn Allen contributed 40 from 25 balls. Although the total appeared competitive at the innings break, it proved entirely insufficient against India’s record-breaking chase.
The victory clinches the T20 series for India with two matches remaining. The current fixture will be followed by a series comprising five one-day internationals and two Test matches.
