Abhishek Sharma struck a 35-ball century as India completed an astonishing chase of 199 in just 13.2 overs during the third T20 against New Zealand in Wellington. India won by six wickets and took an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.
Abhishek and teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi blitzed 133 in seven overs for the first wicket, with their powerplay score of 118 setting a new record for international T20s. Fifteen-year-old Sooryavanshi scored 45 from 19 balls, merely a supporting act to Abhishek, who raced to his fifty from 15 deliveries as New Zealand's bowlers wilted.
After the youngster's departure in the eighth over, Abhishek helped India cruise towards their target, falling for 113 from 38 balls, which included nine fours and 11 sixes. He fell short of equalling his record for India's fastest T20 hundred, which came off 30 balls against Afghanistan last month. India's middle order then ticked off the remaining 21 runs with ease, while New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner's figures of 1-17 off three overs were an outlier in a painful match for bowlers.
New Zealand's 198-3 was set up by Daryl Mitchell's 89 from 52 balls, and Finn Allen added 40 off 25. The total looked competitive until India barely broke a sweat in their pursuit. The series now moves on to five one-day internationals and two Tests.
Source: BBC Sport · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing