Wellington: A day before Cyclone Arnab makes landfall in Andhra Pradesh, ‘Cyclone Abhishek’ devastated New Zealand at the Henry Stadium here on Tuesday.
Abhishek Sharma and his fellow-southpaw opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi went on a carnage to help Team India chase down a target of 199 in a mere 13.2 overs and thereby grab a series-clinching 3-0 lead in the five-game series.
After Shreyas Iyer won his third straight toss and opted to set a target yet again, New Zealand managed what they thought was a decent 198/3, spearheaded by Daryl Mitchell’s unbeaten 89 (55 balls, 5×4, 5×6).
But when the opposition has fearless strokeplayers such as Abhishek and Vaibhav in its ranks, no target is big enough.
World records galore
World records tumbled like nine pins, with Abhishek and Vaibhav racing to 50 in 2.2 overs (fastest ever team fifty), 100 in 5 overs (fastest team hundred) and 118 in the power play (highest team score in 6 overs).
From New Delhi to Wellington ⏩ Abhishek Sharma never forgets to be in his element 🧘♂️ #TeamIndia | #NZvIND | @OfficialAbhi04 https://t.co/tmyvJ1VzI9
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 27, 2026
Vaibhav set the tone for the mayhem, smashing a four and a six, followed by a first-ball six by Abhishek as Jacob Duffy’s opening over cost 26 runs – another world record.
Abhishek got more of the strike and galloped to fifty in 15 balls (third-joint quickest half century), reached his fourth T20I hundred in 35 balls.
Vaibhav, promoted to his favoured opening role, pushing Sanju Samson to No. 3, was overshadowed by Abhishek but did remarkably too. The 15-year-old sailed to 45 off 19 balls (4×4, 4×6) before falling in search of another big hit, but only after he and Abhishek had stitched together a mind-boggling partnership of 133 runs in 7.1 overs, yet another record.
Abhishek continued with his merry ways, smacking 9 fours and 11 sixes in his 38-ball 113 at a staggering strike rate of 297!
When Abhishek, who celebrated his century with a customary yoga and ‘pranam’ pose, departed, India needed just 20 runs in 10 overs.
1⃣1⃣3⃣ runs 3⃣8⃣ balls 2⃣9⃣7⃣.3⃣7⃣ strike rate 9⃣ fours & 1⃣1⃣ sixes Abhishek Sharma, take a bow for that astonishing innings 🙇♂️ Updates ▶️ https://t.co/zf4CnZQ8CD #TeamIndia | #NZvIND https://t.co/RxygJwIOUw
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 27, 2026
New Zealand bowlers were devastated by the incredible onslaught, with everyone but skipper Mitchell Santner going between 14 and 23 runs per over.
BRIEF SCORES
New Zealand 198/3 in 20 overs (Daryl Mitchell 89*, Finn Allen 40, Bevan Jacobs 39*; Arshdeep Singh 1/33).
India 199/4 in 13.2 overs (Abhishek Sharma 113, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 45; Kyle Jamieson 2/45).
Result: India won by 6 wickets
Player of the Match: Abhishek Sharma
Series position: India lead 3-0, with 2 to play.
4th T20I: NZ vs India at Auckland, Oct 30, from 12.30 pm IST.
