Abhishek Sharma and India rewrite records in third T20 against New Zealand

Abhishek Sharma delivered a sensational batting performance, blasting 113 off 38 balls to lead India to a six-wicket win over New Zealand in the third T20I in Wellington on Tuesday.

India hunted down a target of 199 in just 13.2 overs, securing the series with two matches still to play.

Sharma reached his century in 35 deliveries, falling short of his own record for the fastest T20I hundred against a Test-playing nation, which he established with a 30-ball century against Afghanistan last month. Nevertheless, his explosive knock helped India rewrite several records in the shortest format.

How many records did India break during the run chase?

India began their pursuit at a remarkable pace, reaching 50 in just 2.2 overs as Sharma and 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi attacked the New Zealand bowlers.

The visitors plundered 26 runs in the opening over, setting a new record for the most runs scored in the first over by a Full Member side in men's T20 internationals. Australia's previous benchmark was 24 runs against West Indies in 2010.

India raced to 100 in five overs, the second-fastest team to reach the milestone in all men's T20 cricket, behind Eswatini, who achieved the feat in 4.5 overs against Mozambique earlier this year.

Their powerplay tally of 118 became the highest in men's T20Is, eclipsing Romania's previous record of 116 against Serbia in 2021.

India also reached 150 in 7.4 overs, setting a new record for the fastest team to reach the landmark in men's T20 cricket.

What century records did Abhishek Sharma establish?

Sharma's innings took his tally to 11 T20 centuries, making him India's leading century-maker in the format ahead of Virat Kohli, who has 10.

Only Chris Gayle, with 22 hundreds, and Babar Azam, with 13, have registered more centuries in men's T20 cricket.

The Wellington hundred was Sharma's fourth in T20 internationals, matching Suryakumar Yadav's tally. Rohit Sharma remains India's leading T20I centurion with five.

Sharma has now scored three of his four T20I hundreds in fewer than 40 balls. His fifth century inside 40 deliveries across all T20 cricket also extended his record in that category.

How dominant has Sharma been in fast-scoring innings?

The left-hander struck 11 sixes against New Zealand, recording his third T20I innings featuring at least 10 maximums.

Across all T20 cricket, he has produced seven such innings, placing him second behind Gayle, who has achieved the feat 18 times.

Sharma has also scored nine T20I half-centuries in 20 balls or fewer. No other batter has registered more than four such rapid fifties.

Where does India's successful chase rank historically?

India completed their 199-run chase in 13.2 overs, making it the second-fastest successful pursuit of a target exceeding 190 in men's T20 cricket. Estonia hold the record after chasing down 192 against Cyprus in 13 overs in 2024.