Abhishek, Sooryavanshi smash records with India's explosive powerplay (Img: IANS)
Wellington: India produced a sensational display of power-hitting in the third T20I against New Zealand at Hagley Stadium in Wellington on Tuesday, breaking multiple batting records during their 199-run chase.
Abhishek Sharma and promoted opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi tore into the New Zealand bowling attack, scoring an astonishing 118 without loss in the first six overs. Their explosive start surpassed Romania's previous record of 116/0 against Serbia in 2021, setting a new world record for the highest powerplay total in men's T20Is.
India reached the 100-run mark in just five overs, registering the fastest team hundred in men's T20I cricket. The previous record belonged to South Africa, who took 5.3 overs to score 100 against the West Indies in Centurion in 2023.
Romania had reached 100 in 5.2 overs against Serbia in 2021, while Australia had taken 5.3 overs against Scotland in 2024.
India's remarkable effort also made them the fastest full-member nation to reach 100 in a T20I innings.
Highest totals in overs 1-6 in Men’s T20Is (where data available):
118/0 - India vs New Zealand, Wellington, 2026
116/0 - Romania vs Serbia, Sofia, 2021 (5.4 overs)
113/1 - Australia vs Scotland, Edinburgh, 2024
103/1 - Zimbabwe vs Gambia, Nairobi (RSC), 2024
102/0 - South Africa vs West Indies, Centurion, 2023
100/0 - England vs South Africa, Old Trafford, 2025
100/0 - India vs Afghanistan, Delhi, 2026
The two Indian batters made the most of the opportunity against a depleted New Zealand bowling attack, attacking from the outset and putting the hosts under immense pressure.
Abhishek was unbeaten on 57 off just 20 deliveries, while Sooryavanshi remained not out on 44 from 17 balls during the extraordinary powerplay assault.
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Their aggressive approach helped India race towards the target at an extraordinary pace, with the pair combining power and timing to dismantle the opposition's bowling plans.
The opening partnership also helped India reach 50 runs in just 2.2 overs, making it the joint-fastest team fifty in men's T20Is.
Papua New Guinea had previously achieved the feat against Vanuatu in 2019, while Romania also reached the milestone in 2.2 overs against Serbia in 2021.
India's record-breaking start placed them ahead of several established batting performances in the format, including Australia's 113/1 against Scotland and South Africa's 102/0 against the West Indies in their respective powerplays.
The extraordinary innings in Wellington underlined India's attacking approach in the shortest format, as Abhishek and Sooryavanshi rewrote the record books with a remarkable combination of speed, aggression and consistency.
