Abhishek Sharma unleashed a breathtaking display of power-hitting as India thrashed New Zealand by six wickets in the third T20I in Wellington on Tuesday to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

Chasing 199, India raced to 199 for four in just 13.2 overs, riding on Abhishek’s sensational 113 off 38 balls. The left-hander brought up his century in just 35 deliveries, underlining his status as one of the most destructive batters in T20 cricket. His relentless assault left the New Zealand bowlers searching for answers.

Teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi provided excellent support, smashing 45 off just 19 balls as the Indian openers tore into the New Zealand attack. Their explosive start powered India to a record 118 without loss in the powerplay, setting a new benchmark in men’s T20 internationals.

New Zealand vs India, 3rd T20I: Highlights | Scorecard

New Zealand had earlier posted a competitive 198 for three, with Daryl Mitchell top-scoring with an unbeaten 89 off 52 balls. However, their total proved no match for India’s formidable batting firepower.

The emphatic victory also saw India rewrite several records, with Abhishek at the heart of the historic run chase. As India continued their dominance over the Kiwis, their explosive batting display underlined the gulf between the two sides in the series so far.

Here are some records that Abhishek Sharma and India broke in the Wellington T20I

11 – Abhishek Sharma became the Indian batter with the most centuries in T20 cricket, surpassing Virat Kohli, who has 10 hundreds in 430 matches.

11 – Abhishek Sharma is now the third-highest century-maker in T20 cricket, behind Chris Gayle (22) and Babar Azam (13).

4 – Abhishek Sharma now holds the record for the most centuries by a left-handed batter in Men’s T20Is. He surpassed the Czech Republic’s Sabawoon Davizi, New Zealand’s Colin Munro and Scotland’s George Munsey, who have three centuries each.

35 balls – Abhishek Sharma smashed the fastest century against New Zealand in T20Is, breaking Ishan Kishan’s record of a 42-ball hundred, scored earlier this year in Thiruvananthapuram.

35 balls – Abhishek Sharma also recorded the fastest century in T20Is played in New Zealand, surpassing Kusal Perera’s 44-ball hundred against the Black Caps in Nelson in 2025.

30 balls – India recorded the fastest team century in Men’s T20Is, breaking Romania’s record of reaching the milestone in 34 balls against Serbia in Sofia in 2021.

14 balls – India registered the fastest fifty by a full-member team in Men’s T20Is, breaking New Zealand’s record of 16 balls against Scotland at The Oval in 2009. Overall, India share the record for the fastest team fifty with Papua New Guinea, who achieved the feat against Vanuatu in Port Moresby in 2019, and Romania, who did so against Serbia in Sofia in 2021.

18.13 – Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi recorded the highest run rate for a 100-run partnership in T20Is, surpassing the previous mark of 16.08 set by Jos Buttler and Phil Salt against South Africa at Old Trafford in Manchester in 2025.

118/0 – India recorded the highest powerplay total in Men’s T20Is, surpassing Romania’s 116/0 against Serbia in Sofia in 2021, scored in 5.4 overs.

9 – Abhishek Sharma extended his record for the most fifties scored off 20 balls or fewer in T20Is to nine. He is well clear of Yuvraj Singh, David Warner, Colin Munro, Finn Allen and Phil Salt, who have achieved the feat three times each.

- Ends