The world’s top-ranked T20I batter smashed a sensational 113 off just 38 balls, including a 15-ball half-century, as India made a mockery of what appeared to be a challenging 199-run target. The visitors reached the target in a staggering 13.2 overs. Abhishek brought up his century in just 35 balls and celebrated with his trademark meditation pose as the opposition players and spectators were left stunned by his power-hitting.
Abhishek Sharma scythed through a hapless New Zealand attack to unleash carnage that made even Vaibhav Sooryavanshi look like a bystander at times as India cruised to a series-clinching six-wicket win in the third T20 International on Tuesday.
India thus completed a hat-trick of T20I series wins on New Zealand soil, having previously won 5-0 and 1-0 in 2020 and 2022 respectively. The 15-year-old Sooryavanshi was equally aggressive, smashing 45 off 18 balls, but his efforts were overshadowed by Abhishek as India set a world record for the fastest team 100 in five overs and registered the highest-ever powerplay score of 118. The opening stand of 133 in just seven overs was a batting exhibition that those present at Wellington’s Westpac Trust Stadium will not forget in a hurry. By the time the partnership ended, Sooryavanshi (four sixes) and Abhishek (eight sixes) had hammered the Black Caps attack with 12 maximums between them. Pacer Arshdeep Singh (1/33) provided the perfect start by dismissing Tim Seifert, who paid the price for an ill-judged shot. However, Finn Allen (40 off 25) and Mitchell counterattacked brilliantly, adding 86 runs for the second wicket.
India captain Shreyas Iyer won his third consecutive toss and again opted to bowl first. Allen launched a pair of sixes off Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who continued to search for consistency with his lengths. The veteran seamer looked most effective during the 18th over, consistently hitting the blockhole and offering a glimpse of his best form.
Abhishek eventually departed after smashing 11 sixes and nine fours, caught by Glenn Phillips. The contest was effectively decided in the very first over, bowled by Jacob Duffy, which yielded 26 runs. Adam Milne was slightly more economical, conceding 17 runs in the second over, but after Michael Bracewell and Kyle Jamieson leaked 21 and 20 runs respectively in the third and fourth overs, captain Mitchell Santner cut a resigned figure. Earlier, Daryl Mitchell returned to form with a scintillating 89 off 52 balls, but India’s bowlers executed well at the death to restrict New Zealand to 198/3 in their 20 overs. The breakthrough finally arrived through Nitish Kumar Reddy (1/38), who dismissed Allen after the batter failed to clear long-on. The in-form Phillips made 17 before falling to Axar Patel (1/36), who held on to a sharp return catch. Highly rated Bevon Jacobs then joined Mitchell, and the pair added 75 runs for the fourth wicket in eight overs.
His innings had left the New Zealand players so deflated that there was little celebration when the wicket finally fell. A pitch that had offered some assistance during New Zealand’s innings appeared vastly different under lights, allowing Abhishek and Sooryavanshi to play with complete freedom. Whether creating room on the off side or moving across to target the leg side, the pair found boundaries at will. Such was the ferocity of Abhishek’s hitting that Sooryavanshi’s own stunning knock almost went unnoticed, despite the teenager showcasing remarkable audacity and strokeplay. Allen struck him over long-on and deep midwicket, while Mitchell settled into his innings with a series of boundaries, including a ramp shot off Prince Yadav. Allen’s third six came when he picked up a delivery outside off stump from Prince and dispatched it over square leg. Naman Dhir covered good ground to complete a sharp low catch. Mitchell finished with five sixes and five fours in a dazzling knock, but it ultimately proved insufficient against an inspired Indian batting display. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
