India vs New Zealand 3rd T20I 2026: India Chase 199 in 13.2 Overs, Abhishek Sharma Hits 35-Ball Century – All Records

India defeated New Zealand by six wickets in the third T20I on 27 October 2026 in Wellington, chasing a target of 199 runs in just 13.2 overs. Abhishek Sharma smashed 113 runs from 38 balls, including a 35-ball century, while India registered a record-breaking powerplay score of 118/0.

The third T20I between India and New Zealand turned into an unforgettable night for Indian cricket.

New Zealand posted a challenging total of 198/3 after batting first. However, India’s explosive opening pair, Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, made the target look much smaller.

Abhishek produced one of the most aggressive centuries in T20 international cricket, while India completed the chase with 40 balls remaining.

The match also witnessed several major milestones, including Abhishek’s fourth T20I century, India’s extraordinary powerplay performance and another historic achievement for the young Indian opener.

Here is the complete India vs New Zealand third T20I match report, scorecard, records, fastest centuries list and key statistics.

Match date: 27 October 2026 | Venue: Wellington, New Zealand

India vs New Zealand 3rd T20I 2026: Match Summary

How India Chased 199 Runs in Just 13.2 Overs

A target of 199 runs in T20 cricket usually requires aggressive batting throughout the innings.

India needed a scoring rate of almost 10 runs per over.

Instead of approaching the target cautiously, the Indian openers attacked from the beginning.

Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi took on New Zealand’s fast bowlers and repeatedly found the boundary.

India raced to 50 runs in the third over and continued scoring at an extraordinary rate.

By the end of the sixth over, India had reached 118/0.

This explosive beginning completely changed the match.

New Zealand’s bowlers struggled to control the scoring rate, while India moved closer to the target much earlier than expected.

Even after losing wickets, India maintained enough momentum to complete the chase in 13.2 overs.

The result was a six-wicket victory with 40 deliveries remaining.

Abhishek Sharma Scores 113 Runs in Just 38 Balls

Abhishek Sharma was the standout performer of the match.

The left-handed opener played with confidence and attacked almost every bowling option.

Abhishek Sharma’s Batting Scorecard

Abhishek scored 102 of his 113 runs through boundaries alone.

His innings included 36 runs from fours and 66 runs from sixes.

This means more than 90% of his runs came from boundaries.

His strike rate of 297.37 demonstrates how aggressively he played.

More importantly, his innings gave India a massive advantage during the run chase.

Abhishek Sharma Hits His Fourth T20I Century

Abhishek Sharma reached his fourth century in T20 international cricket during the Wellington match.

He joined an elite group of Indian players who have scored four or more centuries in men’s T20Is.

Most T20I Centuries by Indian Men’s Players

Abhishek equalled Suryakumar Yadav’s tally of four T20I hundreds.

He is now only one century behind Rohit Sharma’s Indian record of five.

His achievement is even more impressive because he has reached this milestone relatively early in his international career.

Abhishek Sharma’s 35-Ball Century: Is It the Fastest in T20I Cricket?

Abhishek Sharma completed his century against New Zealand in just 35 balls.

It was a remarkable innings, but it was not his fastest T20I hundred.

In September 2026, he had scored a century in only 30 balls against Afghanistan.

That remains the fastest men’s T20I hundred by a batter from an ICC Full Member nation.

His 35-ball hundred against New Zealand became his second-fastest T20I century.

Abhishek Sharma’s Fastest T20I Centuries

Abhishek is one of the few players to have scored multiple T20I centuries in fewer than 40 deliveries.

His batting style combines powerful hitting, fast scoring and the ability to dominate the powerplay.

Fastest T20I Centuries by Indian Players

Abhishek Sharma holds the Indian record for the fastest century in men’s T20 internationals.

Fastest Indian T20I Hundreds

The list highlights Abhishek’s ability to produce rapid centuries against different international teams.

It also shows how India’s T20 batting approach has become increasingly aggressive.

Abhishek Sharma Breaks Virat Kohli’s T20 Century Record

The Wellington century was Abhishek Sharma’s 11th hundred across all T20 cricket, including domestic leagues and international matches.

With this achievement, he moved ahead of Virat Kohli’s tally of 10 T20 centuries.

Most Centuries in Men’s T20 Cricket

These figures include all recognized T20 matches, not just T20 internationals.

Abhishek’s achievement is significant because it places him among some of the most successful century-makers in the history of the shortest format.

India Score 118/0 in the Powerplay Against New Zealand

One of the biggest records of the match came during India’s first six overs.

Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scored 118 runs without losing a wicket.

It was reported as the highest powerplay score in men’s T20 international cricket.

India’s Record Powerplay

India’s previous highest T20I powerplay score was 100/0 against Afghanistan in September 2026.

The new performance improved that mark by 18 runs.

Scoring at nearly 20 runs per over during the powerplay is extremely rare in international cricket.

This attacking start was the biggest reason India could chase 199 so quickly.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s Explosive Batting Against New Zealand

Although Abhishek Sharma scored the century, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi also played an important role.

The young Indian batter scored 45 runs from just 19 deliveries.

His aggressive batting prevented New Zealand from concentrating only on Abhishek.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s Performance

Both left-handed batters attacked from the beginning.

Their partnership helped India build a massive powerplay score and put New Zealand under immediate pressure.

Sooryavanshi’s performance also highlighted the confidence of India’s young batting talent.

India Reach 50 Runs in Just Three Overs

India’s aggressive batting was visible from the first over.

The opening over produced 26 runs, putting New Zealand’s bowlers under pressure immediately.

India then reached the 50-run mark during the third over.

The rapid start helped the team build momentum and reduce the required scoring rate.

For a chase of 199, reaching 50 so early was a major advantage.

The openers continued attacking instead of slowing down after the first milestone.

New Zealand Score 198/3: Daryl Mitchell Leads the Batting

Before India’s record chase, New Zealand had posted a strong total of 198/3.

Daryl Mitchell was the leading run-scorer for the home side.

He remained unbeaten on 89 from 52 balls.

New Zealand’s Main Batting Performances

Mitchell anchored the innings while other batters contributed valuable runs.

New Zealand reached 198/3, which looked like a competitive score.

However, India’s explosive powerplay changed the direction of the match.

India vs New Zealand 3rd T20I: Important Records and Milestones

The Wellington match produced several notable achievements.

Not every item is an all-time world record. Some are individual milestones, team records or match achievements.

Abhishek Sharma vs Rohit Sharma: Fastest T20I Century Comparison

Rohit Sharma and Abhishek Sharma have both scored T20I centuries in 35 balls.

However, Abhishek also holds a faster 30-ball century.

Rohit Sharma remains India’s leading men’s T20I century-maker.

Abhishek is closing the gap with his aggressive performances.

The comparison reflects the development of India’s attacking T20 batting style.

What Makes Abhishek Sharma’s Innings Special?

Several factors made his 113 against New Zealand memorable.

1. He Scored at Almost 300 Strike Rate

Scoring 113 from 38 balls requires extraordinary boundary-hitting ability.

Abhishek maintained a strike rate above 297.

2. He Hit 11 Sixes

His six-hitting played a major role in accelerating India’s chase.

3. He Reached 100 in Just 35 Balls

This was one of the fastest centuries by an Indian in T20I cricket.

4. He Helped Set a Powerplay Record

India’s 118/0 in six overs gave the team an enormous advantage.

5. He Helped India Finish With 40 Balls Remaining

Chasing 199 with so many deliveries left made the victory particularly impressive.

India vs New Zealand T20I Series 2026: Updated Schedule

India and New Zealand are playing a five-match T20I series.

After winning the third match, India took an unassailable 3–0 lead in the series.

The remaining matches will provide New Zealand with opportunities to recover and India with a chance to complete a clean sweep.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

India’s victory over New Zealand in the third T20I on 27 October 2026 will be remembered for its extraordinary batting performance.

Chasing 199 runs in just 13.2 overs, India demonstrated the power of aggressive T20 cricket.

Abhishek Sharma’s 113 from 38 balls was the highlight of the match. His 35-ball century, fourth T20I hundred and 11th century across all T20 cricket added more achievements to his growing record.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi also played an important role with his attacking 45 from 19 balls.

Together, the openers helped India reach a remarkable 118/0 in the powerplay.

The match showcased India’s powerful batting depth and its ability to chase challenging targets with extraordinary speed.

For cricket fans, the biggest question now is whether Abhishek Sharma can equal or surpass Rohit Sharma’s record of five T20I centuries.

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