Abhishek Sharma scored a match-winning century, leading India to a six-wicket victory over New Zealand in the third T20 international held on October 27, 2026. This win secured the T20I series for India.

Sharma’s impressive 113 off 38 balls earned him the Player of the Match award. He acknowledged the support of his opening partner, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, whose strong start helped build crucial momentum for the innings.

Commenting on a playful challenge from cricket legend Yuvraj Singh to score a fifty off 12 balls, Sharma emphasized the difficulty of such feats. “I don’t know what cricket he was playing… it’s not that easy at all,” he remarked during the post-match presentation.

Sharma attributed his success to rigorous preparation and the coaching staff, particularly highlighting the practice with sidearm deliveries. “Preparation was crucial to reading the conditions and adapting to bowlers,” he said.

Sooryavanshi also played a vital role, setting a positive tone early in the innings. Sharma noted, “The way he started the first over… was really special,” contributing to the team’s strategy of maintaining momentum throughout the match.