Team India produced a run-chase for the ages at Wellington’s Henry Stadium, obliterating New Zealand by six wickets to wrap up the five-match series with a 3-0 lead.
Set a steep target of 199 runs, India didn’t just chase down the total—they dismantled it in just 13.2 overs with 40 balls left to spare, leaving the hosts completely shell-shocked.
The Abhishek Sharma Blitzkrieg
At the heart of India’s record-breaking pursuit was opener Abhishek Sharma, who unleashed an absolute masterclass in aggressive batting. The young left-hander reached his century off just 35 deliveries—making it one of the fastest hundreds in T20 international history.
Sharma showed no mercy to the Kiwi bowling attack, smashing boundaries at will across every part of the ground. By the time he was finally dismissed for a breathtaking 113 off 38 balls, the match was already firmly in India’s pocket.
An Explosive Opening Stand
Alongside Abhishek, teenage prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi set the tone from the very first over. Sooryavanshi played a crucial, high-impact knock of 45 off just 19 balls, providing the perfect foil to Abhishek’s carnage.
Together, the opening pair forged a devastating 133-run partnership in record time, putting the target well out of New Zealand’s reach before the middle overs even kicked in. Sanju Samson then added a steady 18 off 13 balls to ensure there were no late hiccups as India comfortably crossed the finish line in the 14th over.
Series Wrapped Up 3-0
New Zealand’s 198 looked like a daunting total at the innings break, but India’s ruthless top-order rendered the pitch microscopic and the boundaries tiny. The four-over powerplay set the stage for a victory that will be remembered as one of India’s most dominant chases away from home.
With the series now safely in India’s hands at 3-0, both teams will travel to Auckland for the fourth T20I scheduled for October 30, where the hosts will look to restore pride and avoid a complete whitewash.
