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Abhishek Sharma's 35-Ball Ton Powers India To Series Win In New Zealand

India's openers plundered 132 in the first seven overs of the chase as India won by six wickets in Wellington.

By , Editor

· 2 min read

Cricket, general photo
Cricket (general photo, not from this event) Photo: Anilsharma26 / Pixabay, Pixabay Content License

Abhishek Sharma hit a 35-ball century as India chased 199 in 13.2 overs to win the third T20I by six wickets and take an unassailable 3-0 lead in Wellington.

Key takeaways

  • Abhishek Sharma scored 113 off 38 balls with nine fours and 11 sixes
  • India reached 199 for 4 in 13.2 overs, winning by six wickets
  • India lead the five-match T20I series 3-0
  • The opening stand was 133 in seven overs, with a powerplay score of 118

Abhishek Sharma's 35-ball century powered India to a series-clinching six-wicket win over New Zealand in the third T20 International at Wellington, NDTV Sports reported. The visitors chased down 199 in just 13.2 overs to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

Match details

India's openers plundered 132 in the first seven overs of the chase, ESPNcricinfo reported. Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi blitzed 133 in seven overs for the first wicket, BBC Sport said. Their powerplay score of 118 for no loss set a new record for international T20s, BBC Sport reported. India brought up their hundred in exactly five overs, ESPNcricinfo added. Abhishek Sharma reached his fourth T20I hundred in 35 balls, ESPNcricinfo said. He rushed to his fifty in 15 balls, ESPNcricinfo reported. Abhishek Sharma fell for 113 off 38 balls, including nine fours and 11 sixes, BBC Sport reported. Fifteen-year-old Sooryavanshi made 45 from 19 balls, BBC Sport said. Abhishek was caught by Glenn Phillips, NDTV Sports reported. New Zealand's 198-3 was set up by Daryl Mitchell's 89 from 52 balls and Finn Allen added 40 off 25, BBC Sport reported. India's middle order then ticked off the remaining 21 runs required with ease, BBC Sport said.

Series context

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, NDTV Sports said. The result gives India an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series, BBC Sport reported. This was India's fourth 20-plus over of the series; New Zealand have none, ESPNcricinfo said. By the time this match ended, India led New Zealand 7-0 for 20-plus overs in this series, ESPNcricinfo added.

What happens next

India will play the remaining two T20Is before moving on to five one-day internationals and two Tests, BBC Sport reported. The fourth T20I is scheduled for Auckland on October 30, 2026, NDTV Sports listed. The fifth T20I is set for Hamilton on November 1, 2026, NDTV Sports listed. The first ODI is at Auckland on November 4, 2026, NDTV Sports listed.

Scorecard summary for the third T20I

Team

Score

Result

New Zealand

198 for 3

Lost by six wickets

India

199 for 4 in 13.2 overs

Won

Sources

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