Abhishek Sharma's 35-ball century seals India's T20I series in New Zealand
By Elena D’SouzaStartups & Innovation Correspondent, Peepals Global
Representative image: PDPics / Pixabay
Abhishek Sharma hit 113 off 38 balls as India chased 199 in 13.2 overs in Wellington on 27 October 2026 to take an unbeatable 3-0 lead over New Zealand.
What Happened
Abhishek Sharma smashed 113 off 38 balls, reaching his century in 35 balls, as India chased down 199 in only 13.2 overs to beat New Zealand in the third Twenty20 International in Wellington on Tuesday, 27 October 2026. The win gave India an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the five-match series, with two games still to play. New Zealand had made 198 for 3, led by Daryl Mitchell's unbeaten 89 off 52 balls.
Key Facts
- Result: India chased 199 with 40 balls to spare to take a 3-0 series lead.
- Abhishek Sharma: 113 off 38 balls with nine fours and 11 sixes; century in 35 balls.
- Record: the 35-ball hundred equals Rohit Sharma's 35-ball century against Sri Lanka in Indore in 2017 as India's joint-second-fastest in T20Is.
- Opening stand: Abhishek and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (45 off 19) put on 133 in 7.1 overs.
- Team records: India reached 100 in five overs, and their 118 without loss in the six-over powerplay is the highest powerplay score in men's T20Is, according to records compiled after the match.
- New Zealand: 198 for 3, with Daryl Mitchell 89 not out off 52 balls and Bevon Jacobs 39 not out off 23.
- Milestone: Mitchell became the sixth New Zealand batter to reach 2,000 T20I runs.
Why It Matters
India's series win in New Zealand, achieved with two matches to spare, underlines how dominant their T20 side has become away from home. India have now chased big totals with ease in successive matches on the tour.
Abhishek Sharma's innings is the main talking point. The left-handed opener's hundred in 35 balls matched one of the fastest centuries ever made by an Indian in the format. His own quickest, a 30-ball hundred against Afghanistan in Delhi, remains India's fastest, according to records lists. Across the last two years he has turned the role of T20 opener into one of all-out attack, and Tuesday's innings, which included 11 sixes, was a reminder of why selectors have built the top order around him.
The opening partnership with the teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi also matters for India's planning. The pair added 133 in just 7.1 overs, setting a platform that made a target of nearly ten runs an over look modest. India's record powerplay score of 118 without loss is a sign of how far T20 batting has moved: teams now treat the first six overs, when only two fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard circle, as the time to score at maximum speed.
For New Zealand, Daryl Mitchell's unbeaten 89 was the bright spot, but 198 proved well short on the day. The hosts will play the last two matches for pride and to test combinations.
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abhishek Sharma (India) | 113 | 38 | 9 | 11 |
| Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (India) | 45 | 19 | Not stated | Not stated |
| Daryl Mitchell (New Zealand) | 89 not out | 52 | 5 | 5 |
| Bevon Jacobs (New Zealand) | 39 not out | 23 | 4 | 1 |
Impact
Short-term: With the series won, India can rotate players in the last two T20Is, giving chances to those who have not yet played on the tour.
Long-term: Abhishek Sharma's form strengthens his claim to a fixed opening place, while India's aggressive powerplay batting sets a template the team is likely to keep for future T20 tournaments.
Who is affected: India's players and selectors, New Zealand's squad and coaching staff, fans in both countries, and broadcasters, for whom the series now continues as a contest for pride.
Key Takeaway
Abhishek Sharma's 35-ball century, equalling Rohit Sharma's India mark, powered a 199-run chase in 13.2 overs as India took an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the T20I series in New Zealand on 27 October 2026.
Questions and Answers
How fast was Abhishek Sharma's century in Wellington?
Abhishek Sharma reached his hundred in 35 balls and finished on 113 off 38 balls against New Zealand on 27 October 2026, with nine fours and 11 sixes.
Is it the fastest T20I century by an Indian?
No. It equals Rohit Sharma's 35-ball hundred against Sri Lanka in 2017 as India's joint-second-fastest. Abhishek's own 30-ball century against Afghanistan is India's fastest, according to records lists.
Has India won the T20I series against New Zealand?
Yes. The win in Wellington gave India an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the five-match series, with two matches still to play.
What records did India set in the third T20I?
India reached 100 runs in five overs and scored 118 without loss in the powerplay, the highest powerplay total in men's T20Is, according to records compiled after the match.
Disclaimer: Prepared by the Peepals newsroom from publicly available sources with AI assistance. Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication and may change. Images may be representative. Not professional advice. Report an error via our contact page.
By Elena D’Souza, Startups & Innovation CorrespondentCovers Start-ups & Opportunities and more for Peepals Global. All stories by Elena D’Souza
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Elena D’Souza is a pen name of the Peepals Global Editorial Team, which researches, fact-checks and publishes every story. The portrait is an illustration.
