Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh had a playful message for his former protege Abhishek Sharma after the left-handed batter smashed a sensational century against New Zealand in the third T20I, teasing him for missing out on a half-century in just 12 balls. He then showered him with praise after Abhishek scored a 35-ball ton. Abhishek produced a breathtaking 113 off 38 balls, while 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made a quickfire 45 off 19 deliveries as India chased down a target of 199 in just 13.2 overs at Hagley Oval on Tuesday. The six-wicket victory gave India an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.
“And I can’t make 100 off 30 or 34 balls? 3 as a complete team man! Well-bowled by our bowlers to keep the score under 200!
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. Great series win. Congratulations, Team India,” Yuvraj wrote on X.
Yuvraj holds the record for the fastest half-century in men’s T20Is between Full Member nations, having reached the milestone in just 12 balls against England during the inaugural T20 World Cup in Durban in 2007. Abhishek, meanwhile, brought up his half-century in 15 deliveries against New Zealand in Wellington. He had earlier struck a 14-ball fifty against New Zealand during a T20 World Cup match in Guwahati in 2026.
He also famously struck six sixes in an over off Stuart Broad during that innings.
