India vs New Zealand 3rd T20I: India won against New Zealand by six wickets in the third T20 match played on October 27, 2026, in Wellington. Chasing a target of 199 runs, India achieved their target in 13.2 overs scoring 199/4. This gave them an unbeatable 3–0 victory in the T20 five-match series.
The Indian opener scored 113 runs in 38 balls, hitting nine fours and 11 sixes. The aggressive approach of batting along with a strong opening partnership with the promising youngster Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was responsible for India chasing a successful target with 40 balls left.
Abhishek Sharma Delivers a Record-Breaking Performance
Continuing with his great form in T20 cricket, Abhishek Sharma played a great knock which put immense pressure on the bowling attack of the opposition. In just 35 balls, he scored his century, showing great timing, power, and control while batting.
He managed to score 113 runs at an amazing strike rate of nearly 298, becoming one of the best knocks of the series. Abhishek showed great shots against both pacers and spinners and kept India’s required run rate under check throughout his innings.
As per the reports of the match, this was his 11th century in T20 cricket, surpassing Virat Kohli’s 10 centuries in T20 cricket by any Indian batsman.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Joins Abhishek in a Powerful Opening Partnership
The teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi also contributed significantly from the other end. The youngster smashed 45 runs off just 19 deliveries, hitting four fours and four sixes.
The partnership of Abhishek and Sooryavanshi yielded 133 runs for the first wicket, providing India with an excellent start in the chase. Their aggressive batting yielded 118 runs during the powerplay session, thus creating a new record for a full member nation in the men’s T20 International format, as mentioned in the match report.
The fearless batting of Sooryavanshi supported the aggressive approach of Abhishek, putting immense pressure on the New Zealand side and making the target of 199 seem more realistic.
Although Sooryavanshi lost his wicket before completing his half-century, the base was already set for India’s easy win.
New Zealand Post 198 Runs After Daryl Mitchell’s Unbeaten Knock
In batting first, New Zealand made 198/3 in the 20 over innings. Leading the scoring chart for the hosts, Daryl Mitchell smashed 89 runs off 52 balls.
In terms of contributions, Finn Allen played an aggressive innings by making 40 runs off 25 balls. The efforts made by the hosts resulted in a formidable score but they failed to restrict India.
The bowlers of India successfully stopped the opponents from reaching the 200 run scoreline. But the visiting players’ batsmen had the final say by scoring the runs in 13.2 overs.
It looked like the bowlers of New Zealand were unable to find a consistent approach for stopping the opening partnership. And, by the time the first wicket was down, India took complete control of the game.
India Seal the Five-Match T20I Series
India won by six wickets to clinch an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series, with two matches to play in the five-match series.
This is because the six-wicket win was indicative of India’s prowess in chasing a sizeable total abroad. This was made possible through a combination of positive opening and batting down the order.
Abhishek earned himself the accolade of being the Man of the Match after scoring an excellent century. This was undoubtedly one of the key highlights of the series, with Sooryavanshi adding to India’s burgeoning batting force.
New Zealand must try to bounce back in the remaining games, while India will do well to keep their momentum going.
Daryl Mitchell Praises Abhishek Sharma
New Zealand batter Daryl Mitchell complimented Abhishek’s batting performance after the game by appreciating his bat work as well as the tough task of keeping him under control once he got into the groove.
Mitchell termed it a unique inning as he recognized the world-class batting of the Indian opener. It is evident that his batting performance had a great effect on the innings which left New Zealand in a tough position to make any comeback during the run-chase.
On the other hand, for India, winning the series wasn’t the only aspect of importance but also showcasing an innings where aggressive batting could take toll on a competitive target.
What Comes Next for India and New Zealand?
The fourth T20I of the ongoing series is slated to happen in Eden Park, Auckland, on 30th October 2026. India being 3-0 up, New Zealand will definitely try to avoid defeats, and for India, it will be a chance to continue experimenting and gaining confidence.
The century scored by Abhishek Sharma will definitely stand out in this series. The quick scoring skills of Abhishek, along with the fearless batting style of Sooryavanshi, have provided India with an aggressive opening combination.
As the series goes on, all the spectators will be looking forward to know how well Abhishek plays and whether New Zealand has any reply to India’s aggressive batting.
Conclusion
Abhishek Sharma smashed a 35-ball century that took India to a six-wicket win over New Zealand in the third T20I at Wellington. Abhishek’s 113 runs from 38 balls along with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s 45 runs enabled India to chase down 199 runs in just 13.2 overs. This was one of the best moments of the ongoing T20I series.
