Abhishek Sharma produced a stunning hundred as India crushed New Zealand by six wickets in the third T20I in Wellington. The left-hander smashed 113 off just 38 balls to lead India’s chase of 199. India reached the target in 13.2 overs and took an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi gave Abhishek strong support with a rapid 45 off 19 balls. The pair added 133 runs in just 7.1 overs, leaving New Zealand with little chance of defending their total.
IND vs NZ: Abhishek Sharma tears into New Zealand’s attack
India made their intentions clear from the first over. Sooryavanshi struck Jacob Duffy for a boundary and a six, while Abhishek Sharma cleared the ropes off his first delivery.
The assault continued against Adam Milne, Michael Bracewell and Kyle Jamieson. New Zealand struggled to find the right length as both openers kept targeting the boundary.
Abhishek reached his fifty in just 15 balls. India raced past 100 inside five overs and finished the Powerplay on 118/0, setting a new record for the highest Powerplay total in a T20I between Full Member nations.
Sooryavanshi fell after making 45 from 19 deliveries, but the damage was already done. Abhishek Sharma continued to find sixes and boundaries at will.
He brought up his fourth T20I century off 35 balls. The knock included 11 sixes and came at a strike rate of 297.37. He eventually departed for 113 off 38 balls, with India needing only 66 more runs.
The remaining batters completed the chase with plenty of time to spare. India finished on 199/4 in 13.2 overs.
Mitchell fights back after early setback
New Zealand had a strong finish with the bat, thanks largely to Daryl Mitchell. The hosts posted 198/3 after being asked to bat, but their innings took time to gather pace.
India’s new-ball bowlers kept things tight early on. Arshdeep Singh removed Tim Seifert with a delivery that took the top edge, giving India an early breakthrough.
Finn Allen and Mitchell then took charge. Both batters attacked the spinners and used the short square boundaries to their advantage. Allen made 40 before Nitish Kumar Reddy ended his innings.
Mitchell carried on, finding gaps and clearing the ropes when the bowlers missed their lengths. He remained unbeaten on 89 from 52 balls, hitting five sixes and five fours.
His effort helped New Zealand cross 190, but the total proved nowhere near enough against India’s explosive top order.
India’s bowlers pull things back at the death
New Zealand looked set for a bigger total when Mitchell and Allen were scoring freely. Nitish helped India regain control with a tight over and the key wicket of Allen.
India then focused on the longer straight boundaries and attacked the stumps. Their use of yorkers limited New Zealand’s scoring options in the closing overs.
Mitchell still managed to keep the scoreboard moving, but New Zealand finished on 198/3. It was a competitive total on paper, yet India’s batters made the chase look easy.
India clinch the series with two games left
The six-wicket win gave India a 3-0 lead in the five-match series. They have now secured the series with two matches still to play.
Abhishek Sharma’s century was the standout performance, while Sooryavanshi’s quick start ensured New Zealand never got a foothold in the chase. The opening pair’s 133-run stand in just over seven overs effectively settled the contest.
New Zealand will look to respond in the remaining matches, but India head into the next game full of confidence after another dominant display.
IND vs NZ Brief scores
New Zealand: 198/3 in 20 overs (Daryl Mitchell 89*, Finn Allen 40; Arshdeep Singh 1/33)
India: 199/4 in 13.2 overs (Abhishek Sharma 113, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 45)
Result: India won by six wickets and took a 3-0 lead in the series.
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