India break powerplay record and clinch T20I series (Img: X)
Wellington, October 27: Abhishek Sharma's record-breaking century powered India to a series-clinching victory over New Zealand in the third T20I at Hagley Stadium in Wellington on Tuesday.
Abhishek hammered 113 off just 38 deliveries, helping India chase down the 199-run target in 13.2 overs with six wickets to spare. The victory gave India an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.
Abhishek's fourth T20I century was also his 11th hundred in T20 cricket, taking him past veteran Indian batter Virat Kohli, who has scored 10 centuries in the format.
The left-hander now ranks third on the list of players with the most T20 centuries, behind Chris Gayle, who has 22, and Babar Azam, with 13.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, promoted to open the innings alongside Abhishek, also played an attacking knock, scoring 45 off 19 balls. The pair's explosive start left the New Zealand bowlers struggling to contain India's charge.
India smashed 118 without losing a wicket in the first six overs, recording the highest powerplay total in men's T20I cricket. The previous record was held by Romania, who scored 116/0 against Serbia in 2021.
India also reached 100 runs in just five overs, setting a new record for the fastest team hundred among full-member nations. The team brought up its fifty in 2.2 overs, equalling the fastest team fifty in men's T20Is, previously achieved by Papua New Guinea against Vanuatu and Romania against Serbia.
New Zealand were without Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson due to fitness concerns, leaving their bowling attack under pressure. Kyle Jamieson took two wickets, while Matthew Fisher and captain Mitchell Santner claimed one each.
Jamieson dismissed Abhishek in the 10th over and later removed Sanju Samson for 18. Fisher sent Sooryavanshi back in the eighth over, while Santner dismissed Shreyas Iyer for five in the 13th over.
However, India were already firmly in control. Tilak Varma and Naman Dhir helped complete the chase in the 14th over, sealing a six-wicket win.
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Earlier, Daryl Mitchell struck a career-best T20 score of 89 not out off 52 balls to guide New Zealand to 198/3. Finn Allen contributed 40, while Bevon Jacobs remained unbeaten on 39 off 23 deliveries.
New Zealand reached 100/2 after 10 overs and appeared well placed to post a total above 200. However, India's bowlers tightened their lines in the closing overs, restricting the hosts to 63 runs in the final seven overs.
Arshdeep Singh and Axar Patel took one wicket each, helping India limit New Zealand to 198/3 before the batters completed a record-breaking chase.
Brief Scores
New Zealand: 198/3 (Daryl Mitchell 89\*, Finn Allen 40; Arshdeep Singh 1/33, Axar Patel 1/36)
India: 199/4 in 13.2 overs (Abhishek Sharma 113, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 45; Kyle Jamieson 2/45, Mitchell Santner 1/17)
