Abhishek Sharma delivered a breathtaking performance with the bat, smashing a 35-ball century to power India to a dominant eight-wicket victory over New Zealand in the third T20I in Wellington. The left-handed opener’s explosive innings helped India chase down a target of 199 in just 13.2 overs, taking a commanding 3-0 lead in the five-match series.
Abhishek’s century was a masterclass in aggressive T20 batting, combining clean striking with smart shot selection. He continued his remarkable form at the top of the order, punishing New Zealand’s bowlers and ensuring India remained firmly in control throughout the chase.
The Indian opener said he had visualised a special innings before the match and was delighted to see his plans come to fruition. “I feel I pretty much manifested this innings and it happened,” Abhishek said after the game, highlighting the importance of preparation behind his performance.
The 35-ball hundred further underlined Abhishek’s reputation as one of the most destructive batters in T20 cricket. He holds the highest strike rate in T20 internationals among batters with at least 500 runs, at 196.83, reflecting his ability to score rapidly while maintaining pressure on opposition bowlers.
Abhishek credited India’s coaching staff and extensive practice against sidearm deliveries for helping him prepare for the challenge. He explained that understanding pitch conditions, ground dimensions and the bowlers he faces is central to his approach.
The left-hander had carefully assessed Wellington’s dimensions while India were fielding. With the straight boundary longer than the square boundaries, he identified an opportunity to use the pace of the New Zealand bowlers and target the shorter sides during the powerplay.
India’s aggressive start was further boosted by young opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who struck the first ball of the chase for four. Sooryavanshi went on to score 45 off just 19 deliveries, giving India the early momentum they needed.
Together, the Indian openers helped produce 118 runs in the first six overs, setting a new record for the highest powerplay score in men’s T20I history. Their relentless attack left New Zealand struggling to contain the scoring rate and made the chase a one-sided contest.
Abhishek praised Sooryavanshi’s contribution, explaining that their plan was to seize momentum early and keep attacking. The young opener’s fearless approach complemented Abhishek’s stroke play perfectly as India raced towards the target.
India’s emphatic victory put them 3-0 ahead in the series, leaving New Zealand with two matches remaining to avoid a clean sweep. Abhishek’s sensational century was the standout performance of the contest and another statement of his growing influence in India’s T20I setup.
With his extraordinary scoring rate, attacking mindset and increasing consistency, Abhishek continues to redefine the role of an opener in modern T20 cricket. His 35-ball century in Wellington will stand as another memorable milestone in his rapidly rising international career.
