Wellington, October 27, 2026: India produced a remarkable batting performance against New Zealand in the third T20 International, winning by six wickets and securing the five-match series with two games remaining.

Young opener Abhishek Sharma was the star of the evening. His explosive 113 from just 38 deliveries helped India chase a target of 199 in only 13.2 overs.

The match also witnessed a new T20 International powerplay record, with India scoring 118 runs without losing a wicket in the opening six overs.

What initially looked like a competitive total for New Zealand turned into a difficult evening for the home team’s bowlers.

India vs New Zealand 3rd T20I: Match Highlights

3RD T20 INTERNATIONAL · WELLINGTON

Final

NEW ZEALAND

198/3

20 overs

INDIA

199/4

13.2 overs

India won by 6 wickets with 40 balls remaining

Series: India lead 3-0 and have secured the five-match contest.

The important match details are:

New Zealand Score 198 Despite India’s Early Wickets

New Zealand entered the contest determined to keep the series alive.

After India won the toss and chose to field, the hosts posted 198/3 from their allotted 20 overs.

Daryl Mitchell led the batting effort with an unbeaten 89 from 52 balls, striking five fours and five sixes. His innings provided the stability New Zealand needed.

Finn Allen contributed 40 from 25 balls, including five sixes. Bevon Jacobs added an unbeaten 39 from 23 deliveries.

India’s bowling attack shared the wickets, with Arshdeep Singh, Axar Patel and Nitish Kumar Reddy claiming one each.

At the innings break, New Zealand had a total that demanded aggressive batting from India. A target of 199 in T20 cricket is rarely something a chasing side can approach casually.

India, however, had other plans.

Abhishek Sharma turned the run chase into an extraordinary display of attacking cricket.

The left-handed opener struck 113 runs from only 38 balls, including nine boundaries and 11 sixes.

He reached his half-century in just 15 deliveries and completed his hundred from 35 balls.

His final strike rate was an astonishing 297.36.

That meant he scored almost three runs per ball across his innings.

New Zealand’s bowlers struggled to find a reliable response. Deliveries intended to restrict scoring repeatedly disappeared toward the boundary.

Abhishek’s innings combined fearless stroke play with exceptional scoring speed, allowing India to stay comfortably ahead of the required run rate.

The innings was eventually ended by Kyle Jamieson, but the match was already firmly in India’s control.

India Set T20I Powerplay World Record With 118 Runs

One of the most remarkable achievements came during the first six overs.

Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scored 118/0 in the powerplay, establishing a new record for the highest team score during the opening six overs of a men’s T20 International.

The previous record was 116/0, held by Romania.

India reached 50 runs in only 2.2 overs and crossed 100 in five overs.

The opening partnership ultimately produced 133 runs, with Sooryavanshi contributing 45 from 19 deliveries.

The young batter struck four boundaries and four sixes before Matthew Fisher dismissed him.

Why the powerplay record matters

In T20 cricket, the powerplay consists of the first six overs, when fielding restrictions give batters additional opportunities to score boundaries.

A strong powerplay can influence the rest of the innings. India’s 118-run opening burst went much further.

It reduced a target of 199 to just 81 additional runs after six overs, with all ten wickets still available.

The record also demonstrated how quickly a chase can change when both opening batters attack successfully.

For New Zealand, the damage was substantial. Even a much better bowling performance later in the innings would have left little room for recovery.

India Complete the Chase in Just 13.2 Overs

Following Sooryavanshi’s dismissal, Abhishek continued attacking.

He eventually fell for 113, while Shreyas Iyer scored five and Sanju Samson contributed 18.

Tilak Varma and Naman Dhir completed the chase, with Dhir striking the winning boundary.

India finished on 199/4 in 13.2 overs.

Kyle Jamieson claimed two wickets for New Zealand, while Mitchell Santner and Matthew Fisher took one each.

The victory came with 40 balls remaining, underlining how comprehensively India’s top order had dominated the contest.

India Clinch the Five-Match T20 Series 3-0

India’s third consecutive victory gave the visitors an unassailable 3-0 advantage.

With only two matches remaining, New Zealand can no longer win or level the series.

The result also gives India an opportunity to test their batting depth and maintain momentum before the remaining fixtures.

For New Zealand, the challenge will be finding a better response to India’s aggressive top order.

Their batting performance in Wellington showed promise, particularly through Mitchell and Allen. The bowling attack, however, could not defend a total that initially appeared competitive.

What made India’s victory special?

Three factors stood out.

Explosive opening partnership: Abhishek and Sooryavanshi added 133 runs before the first wicket fell.

Record-breaking powerplay: India’s 118/0 in six overs gave the visitors complete control.

Exceptional finishing speed: India chased 199 in 13.2 overs rather than needing the full 20.

The result was not simply about one outstanding century. It showed how an aggressive opening partnership can change the entire shape of a T20 match.

Key Takeaways

• Abhishek Sharma scored 113 runs from 38 deliveries.
• Vaibhav Sooryavanshi contributed 45 from 19 balls.
• India established a men’s T20I powerplay record of 118/0.
• New Zealand posted 198/3, led by Daryl Mitchell’s unbeaten 89.
• India won by six wickets and secured the series 3-0.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who won the India vs New Zealand third T20I in 2026?

India defeated New Zealand by six wickets in Wellington on October 27, 2026.

2. How many runs did Abhishek Sharma score?

Abhishek Sharma scored 113 from 38 balls, including nine fours and 11 sixes.

3. What is the highest powerplay score in men’s T20I cricket?

India recorded 118/0 against New Zealand in Wellington on October 27, 2026, surpassing the previous record of 116/0.

4. How quickly did India chase 199 runs?

India reached 199/4 in 13.2 overs, winning with 40 balls remaining.

5. Did India win the T20 series against New Zealand?

Yes. India secured an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

Conclusion on Abhishek Sharma 113 vs New Zealand

Abhishek Sharma’s 113 against New Zealand will be remembered as a standout performance in India’s 2026 T20 campaign.

His attacking partnership with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi produced a record powerplay and transformed a challenging chase into a comfortable victory.

India’s six-wicket win in Wellington secured the series with two matches to spare and highlighted the growing strength of its aggressive batting approach.

What impressed you most about India’s performance, Abhishek’s century, Sooryavanshi’s contribution, or the record-breaking powerplay?

Also Read: India vs New Zealand 2nd T20: Tilak Varma Leads Run Chase